Report of the Head of Housing

RESOLVED –

that the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and associated documents be agreed.

Cabinet received a report of the Head of Housing which included a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, following a requirement to produce a Homelessness review.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report and highlighted key elements, including eliminating the number of rough sleepers from the streets, a housing scheme for single people and couples without children and homelessness prevention packages.  The consultation about the strategy had generated 61 responses.  There had only been one negative response; they had disagreed with the mission statement.  He thanked the housing team for their ongoing hard work. 

The Head of Housing added that the council had a statutory responsibility to review its strategy every five years.  It had been developed in partnership with the voluntary and private sectors.  Officers had carried out extensive research, including looking at good practice elsewhere.  The key part of the strategy was the action plan, which would be reviewed annually.

Councillor Collett thanked the Housing team for their work; they were a credit to the council.  They had shown a good working relationship with the council’s partners in this area of work.

Councillor Bell welcomed the report, particularly the housing for single people, couples and those with complex needs.  He looked forward to the new schemes and developments coming forward.

RESOLVED –

that the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and associated documents be agreed.