Agenda item

To consider the Housing, Leisure and Culture Cabinet Member’s report on the above.

 

(Copy enclosed)

 

 

(a)  The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Leisure and Culture on homelessness in Gwynedd was presented. 

 

(b)  The Senior Manager for Housing and Well-being gave the background to the report and noted that homelessness was one of the Council’s statutory responsibilities as set out in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014. Changes to homelessness legislation were welcomed and these had come into effect and allowed cases to be open for a much longer period. However, there was more workload on officers and although some transitional grant funding had been received this would end on 31 March 2018 and the Government had not committed to any subsequent grants thereafter. It was emphasised that without transitional funding the service would not have been able to cope with the changes or have so many successful outcomes with homelessness prevention.  In addition, it was noted that there were changes on the horizon in the welfare benefits system that would impose a burden on the service and following the commissioned work, reference was made to the main findings of this research work.         

(c)   The service was facing a number of challenges as a result of legislative and benefit changes and it had identified that demand had increased and the forecast was that it would continue to grow.  It was therefore crucial to consider how the service would respond to ensure the sustainability and ability of the service, and how to manage future expenditure.

 

(ch) On a positive note, it was stated that in 2015/16 Gwynedd was the best in Wales in terms of the percentage of homelessness prevention, however this would decrease this year due to the loss of one member of staff.

 

(d)   Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the officers responded as follows:

 

(i)            There had not been an increase in the number of people referred to bed and breakfast accommodation,however, they had stayed there for a longer time.   Nevertheless, the service had managed to support them within the budget.  An assurance was given that the service tried to avoid placing families with children in bed and breakfast accommodation.  At all times they sought to retain individuals where they were by negotiating with the landlords.  By increasing council tax on second homes, it was trusted that the money could be re-invested in this area to supply for the needs of the individuals. 

 

(ii)           The Homelessness and Housing Support Manager was requested to send information to the Members Manager as follows:

 

·         How many people were referred to bed and breakfast accommodation

·         Are they individuals / families / young people / male / female 

·         The costs of the above 

 

(iii)          Regarding houses leased by private landlords, rent was paid at the same rate as the local housing allowance.

 

(iv)          That the cases were from across the County and included rural towns and villages.

 

(v)           Regarding how the Council was preparing for the changes in the benefits system, it was noted that the service was:

 

·         seeking to ensure that individuals were aware of the changes

·         ensuring that all property developments were suitable

·         collaborating with the Empty Homes Unit and the private sector housing  

·         giving people advice.

 

(vi)          In light of the fact that there was an increase in the number of cases, it was noted that there was additional pressure on staff to find accommodation, especially considering that only a small stock of housing was available. with a specific time-schedule to deal with the cases.   It was further noted that the main increase was single people.

 

(vii)        It was ensured that the Service collaborated closely with jails, Probation Service, Housing Associations, however, there was a little more work to be undertaken to have a more robust structure in place to collaborate with the Health Board.   

 

(viii)       That approximately 95% of the cases were from Gwynedd citizens and not from people from outside the County.

 

(ix)          In the context of young people of 16 years old who were in receipt of benefits, it was noted that the percentage of cases was not high and there was a specific responsibility to cooperate with Social Services.   It was also noted that there was strong cooperation with GISDA.  

 

(dd) During the discussion regarding the proposals to address the concerns of the Service about the significant challenges to provide accommodation for homeless people in Gwynedd in the future, the following points were highlighted:

 

·         Would it be cost effective for the Council to look at its own buildings and to adapt these as accommodation for the homeless

·         Look into building on land that becomes available and cooperate with Housing Associations 

 

In response to the above, it was explained that discussions were being conducted with Housing Associations, however, it was anticipated that the difficulty with house building schemes would be the time-schedule for the houses to be ready, and only a small number of houses were currently being built.

 

The Head of Adults, Health and Well-being added that the problem of a lack of provision was not unique to Gwynedd.   It was proposed to submit a report to the Council's Cabinet drawing attention to the financial elements and whilst accepting that there would be changes afoot in the future, they had to try and be as proactive as possible. 

 

          Resolved:                     (a) To accept, note and thank the officer for the report and acknowledge that the service was facing additional pressure as a result of legislative changes and changes in the benefits system.

 

                                                (b) To request that the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department conveys the wish of this Scrutiny Committee to establish a strong structure with collaboration between the Council and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for people with high needs discharged from hospital into the community where accommodation and support resources had by now disappeared.

 

                                                (c) Investigate the possibility of getting more suitable houses for the needs of homeless people such as:

 

·         Consider property in the Council's ownership to be transformed as accommodation.  

·         Building new houses on land that become available