Agenda item - Homelessness Grant 2012/13

Agenda item

Homelessness Grant 2012/13

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Core Strategy, Regulatory Services and Strategic Housing and the Strategic Housing Officer who reminded Members that the Board had asked to receive this report following its inclusion on the Forward Plan and subsequent submission to Cabinet on 1st February 2012.

 

The Strategic Housing Officer provided Members with details of the funding received by the Council for 2011/12 and 2012/13, together with progress on schemes in place for 2011/12 and the methodology used in allocating  the funds for 2012/13 and which had been recommended by the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group.

 

Members discussed the following in detail:

 

·        The Economic Recovery Fund and how residents were made aware of the availability of the funds.  This was only available in exceptional circumstances following advice and referral from Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) specialist mortgage rescue adviser.

·        The role of the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group – it had been in existence for 7/8 years, its members included CAB, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT), Bromsgrove Youth Forum Newstarts Furniture Project, Fry Housing, Our Ways, St Basils and Registered Providers and met on a quarterly basis.

·        The development of services year on year – Members raised concerns that scheme would become dependant on the funds provided by the Council.

·        The Newstart Furniture Project and the services that were provided by this project.

·        The New Homes Bonus (calculated on the number of new homes created over a period of time) – which had already been included in the main budget.  It was confirmed that this Bonus had not been ring fenced.

·        The National Home Swap Scheme – accessed by BDHT through Homeswapper.

·        The Discretionary Housing Benefit scheme and work carried out in conjunction with the Housing Benefit Department.

·        Lashbrook House – Members were provided with background information on this facility.

·        The Night Assessment Centre – who this was available to and how this was accessed.

·        The use of sheltered accommodation for those under the usual required age criteria and the flexibility of that age criteria.

 

Members raised concerns that a proportion of the Grant had been surrendered to the Council’s balances.  Officers informed the Board that this had been agreed by Members and the Grant for 2011/12 to which this referred was not ring fenced.  For 2012/13 the full Grant would be made available, although not ring fenced,.

 

The Board discussed the new Government Welfare Reforms and in particular raised concerns in respect of the “bedroom” tax.  Officers informed Members that an impact assessment had been carried out to ascertain the affect of the changes, this included a “modelling” exercise on the supply of accommodation, the number of people affected by the private sector changes and other issues and it was likely that it would take 4/5 years for the changes to take full effect.  It was confirmed that there were approximately 290 people who would be affected by the changes at BDHT.   It was confirmed that the legislation would come into force with effect from April 2013.  Officers informed Members that BDHT were taking a pro-active approach to the changes and had already contacted those residents which would be affected.  Members further discussed the “bedroom” tax and the age range of those residents it was most likely to affect and the changes to retirement age.

 

Members understood the need for houses with multiple occupations (HMOs) within the district but concerns were raised about the controls that were needed to ensure that the area surrounding such houses did not suffer as a consequence.  This was noted by officers and the Board was informed that inspections were carried out to ensure that this was not the case.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)          that the report on Homelessness Grants 2012/13 be noted;

(b)          that the Strategic Housing Manager and Portfolio Holder provide the Board with an update report on the affect of the Government Reforms and the Impact Assessment carried out, at the meeting to be held on 23rd April 2012; and

(c)           that the Strategic Housing Manager and Portfolio Holder provide the Board with an update report on the progress of expenditure for 2012/13 at the meeting to be held on 10th September 2012.

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