Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report that provided an overview of the progress of the Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 2011 action plan.

It was noted that the action plan had been reviewed in 2009 and 2010 and that it was continuously monitored and updated to reflect changing local and national priorities.

The coalition Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) had signalled that the resources available to Local Authorities and across the Public Sector, would be significantly reduced. In addition reform to the Welfare system that would need to be addressed within the Homelessness strategy.

In terms of the timescale around the review the Board was advised that the consultation document would be drafted and brought back to the Board for sign off in July. There would be meetings of the Steering Group on a monthly basis and this would feed into the final draft of the strategy, which would be submitted to the Board in October for approval.

The Board discussed the proposals and it was recognised that housing was likely to rise up the political agenda as the impact of the cap in housing benefit and other policy changes began to felt. The cap in housing benefit was likely to impact significantly on Haringey as people displaced from inner London Boroughs sought cheaper accommodation.

It was noted that there had been discussion between Haringey, Enfield, Barnet and Camden around the development of a joint approach to agreed standard prices for the use of hostels for ?? The host Borough would retain priority with the right of first refusal.

In response to a query as to whether families were already migrating to areas where there was a high level of temporary accommodation the Board was advised until the cap in Housing Benefit was implemented it was likely that many people would be unaware of the change. It was likely that many people would be unprepared for the change and that a demand would be placed on public services for support.

In order to mitigate the impact of significant migration upon areas like Haringey officers had written to the Housing Minister requesting that provision was built into the Localism Bill to prevent Local Authorities placing vulnerable families in temporary accommodation in other Boroughs.

The Board was advised that a policy to deal with the increase in affordable rent was being developed and Housing Association representatives were asked to respond to a questionnaire that had been sent out seeking their views on this.

RESOLVED:

That progress with respect to the Homelessness Strategy 2008-11 Action Plan and the development of the next Homeless Strategy be noted.