Agenda item

Report of the Housing Project Manager

The Housing Project Manager’s report contained the council’s draft Temporary Accommodation Policy which set out how the council would assess, prioritise and manage the placement of eligible Watford homeless applicants into temporary accommodation.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report and stated that the aim was to house families in the borough whenever possible.  There had been a steep increase in the number of families needing temporary accommodation.  There had also been a legal challenge in Westminster City Council which had emphasised the importance of having a firm policy.  The large increase in temporary accommodation figures was down to private rented sector and landlord evictions.  The local housing allowance for a three bedroom house was £1,000; however, the market rent was £1,500.  This gap was difficult to sustain and therefore resulted in evictions.

The criteria of Priority for Placements in Watford in section 4.3.1 of the policy explained that the council would seek for applicants who had children aged over 14 enrolled in public examination courses to be placed in Watford within reasonable travelling distance to their school.  There were also other criteria for example if people were working the council would want it to be possible for them to continue in work.  The housing section was doing a good job and Councillor Johnson commended staff for their professional manner.  The latest temporary accommodation figures were on a downward trajectory, and he was hopeful this would continue.

The Mayor commented that the number of people in temporary accommodation was a national trend not just a Watford one.  However it was more acute when the private sector and public sector were hundreds of pounds a month different.

In response to a question from the Mayor the Housing Section Head explained that Landlords could use a Section 21 notice which meant that they did not need to give any reason for an eviction on an assured short hold tenancy.

The Mayor continued that the harsh reality was that being evicted and going into temporary accommodation was not an easy answer, it was a last resort.  There was a chance if the council did not have available temporary accommodation but had to house someone there was no guarantee it would be in Watford. 

The Council was firming up the policy due to the legal challenge and for public accountability.  Residents lamented people who were in a difficult situation but then protested about flatted development.  It was incumbent upon elected representatives to enable residents to understand the bigger picture.

Councillor Watkin commented that the policy talked of compassion, and tried hard to understand people’s real circumstances and challenges.

Councillor Bell on behalf of the Labour group paid tribute to the housing department which had been under pressure following the review of housing.  With regards to Section 21 notices, Councillor Bell commented that landlords did not always follow the right procedure. He questioned whether there was enough in the budget to cope with the homeless in temporary accommodation.

The Mayor responded that there had been enough in the budget every year for what was needed.  The council had a legal obligation which had been met.  The departments were reviewed to reflect the changing needs of residents.  Last year temporary accommodation had cost nearly £1m and the money was there.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. approves the Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy set out in Appendix A of the report.
   
   
2. delegates to the Head of Community and Customer Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing authority for agreeing the detailed implementation plan and precise implementation data.
   
   
3. that Cabinet notes that minor changes to the Policy may be deemed necessary during implementation and that the Council’s Constitution delegates authority for these to be made by the Head of Community and Customer Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing.