Issue - meetings

The Mayor opened the debate on Homelessness. This was a subject of growing concern with increasing numbers of single people and families becoming homeless and there being a visible increase in the number of rough sleepers. ‘All People’ all Places, the main local recipient of funds from the Mayors charity were focused on supporting people who became homeless and have no accommodation. Therefore, it was fitting for the final council debate meeting to consider this key issue.

The Mayor hoped the debate would allow a sharing of experiences and allow the council to develop solutions in this context. The Mayor had invited two external guests to share their local and daily working knowledge of homelessness and to ‘set the scene’ for the debate.

The Mayor introduced Matthew Downie of Crisis who opened the debate by providing a presentation on homelessness. He highlighted the current trends and policy implications including: the causes, consequences, and the scale of homelessness. The presentation also provided information on the number of applications for housing as a result of homelessness, with information on the numbers of: acceptances for housing, where homelessness had been prevented and relief cases. Mr Downie presented the impact of national policy and provided some suggestions of what the council could still do in this context.

The Mayor invited the second speaker, Mr Michael Baker, Chair of the Board of YMCA North London. Mr Baker focused on YMCA North London's work with young people that it came into contact with on a daily basis. This was aimed at creating a supportive and energising environment which was open to all, where young people could belong, contribute and thrive. Tackling youth homelessness was at the core of their strategy, and the primary objectives of the Life Academy foyer programme were to stabilise chaotic lives, restore self-esteem and enable young people to contribute to their community and reclaim their place in society.

The Mayor thanked Mr Downie and Mr Baker for their valuable contributions which would help stimulate the debate and bring forward further ideas and solutions for tackling homelessness.

The debate ensued and the Members made the following comments:

• The accumulative impact of past government polices, an unregulated rent sector, and less homes being built creating a nationwide problem of homelessness.
• The council’s moral duty to tackle homelessness had to be considered against a difficult national policy context and with decreasing powers.
• The council was a first contact point for homeless families unable to afford housing and in need of support. This meant working with community groups to signpost families to housing solutions before they become homeless and ensuring resources are available to help people access services.
• The problematic government cuts to public agencies, in particular Mental Health services which a young single homeless person may access. This meant a greater need for local authorities and agencies/ partners to work together and effectively combine their available resources to look after homeless people. 
• The results of the LGA [Local Government Association] survey, which included a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158