To consider the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-25.

Purpose

To seek approval from Members to consult on a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2025

Reason for Decision

To ensure the Council meet its statutory duty to publish a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to cover the period 2020-2025.

To enable partners and stakeholders to input into the development of the strategy ensuring the final document is a comprehensive strategy supported by those organisations and agencies what will be instrumental to its delivery.

To ensure the strategy is fit for purpose and effective to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough.

Decision

That approval be given to the document included at Appendix 1 to the report as a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2025 and authorise officers to conduct a consultation exercise with partners and stakeholders.

To consider the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-25.

At this point Councillors Dale Ferrier and Andy Fewings returned to the meeting.

Wilma Waddingham, Housing Needs Manager presented a report to the Committee which was also to be presented to a meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, 20^th October 2020.

The report would be seeking approval from the Executive to consult on a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-20205 which was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Councillor Bea Foster complimented on the very thorough report and of the work of the small working group in relation to `A bed every night` in which it had been identified that the role of an Outreach Worker was required to work with vulnerable people at risk of becoming homeless.

Councillor Foster also raised issue with the `Bed every night` action plan of short to medium term to be implemented at the end of April 2022.

Wilma advised the Committee that it was anticipated that the `Bed every night` scheme would be implemented by the end of November 2020.

Councillor Dale Ferrier enquired around involvement with the Ministry of Defence seeking to assist ex-military veterans return to civilian life.

Wilma advised of the new supported housing project at the former Elizabeth Street hostel that was linking in to Help for Heroes to work with ex-military veterans.

Councillor Ferrier also enquired around working with schools and in particular high school children.

Wilma advised that work had taken place with year 5 students and first year college students but that it could be difficult to engage with this group.

Councillor Foster was congratulated and thanked for her work and involvement in the `Bed every night` project.

IT WAS AGREED

That the Scrutiny Committee approve the consultation of the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2025 to the Executive.

To seek approval to consult on the Council’s draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-25.