Issue - meetings

The Board received a presentation from the Housing Strategy & Enabling Team Leader in respect of the Worcestershire Joint Homelessness Strategy 2012-17. 

The strategy had been produced following the relevant guidance and a comprehensive review of services being undertaken in 2011 by a specific project team.  The Housing Strategy & Enabling Team Leader highlighted both national and current local issues which could have an affect on homelessness, including the Comprehensive Spending Review, the impact of the Localism Act, the increase in rough sleeping across the County and links to childhood life experiences such as domestic abuse and relationship breakdown. The Board’s attention was also brought to the 4 strategic goals of the strategy and the work which would be carried out in order for those goals to be met.

• Provide a pathway to a housing solution for everyone
• Create strong partnerships to tackle homelessness
• Take effective action to prevent anyone new to the streets having to sleep out for more than one night
• Reduce financial deprivation within our communities to minimise homelessness.

The Housing Strategy & Enabling Team Leader responded to questions and the Board discussed the following areas in detail:

• Links between health, especially mental health and homelessness
• Available support from staff based at Bromsgrove
• Providing accommodation for homeless persons from outside of the district.
• The Choice Based letting system
• An increase in the number of young people being housed in sheltered accommodation and whether this was a temporary measure – officers agreed to investigate and provide Members with further information.

The Board were informed that the Joint Homelessness Strategy had completed its consultation on 6th July 2012 and would be presented to Cabinet for consideration at its meeting to be held on 5th September 2012.

RESOLVED that the presentation on the Worcestershire Joint Homelessness Strategy 2012-17 be noted.