Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Cabinet Member referred those present to Agenda Item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at this meeting and asked that those present reviewed and noted the information contained therein.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

None.

The report will seek the Cabinet Member’s approval to consult on the proposed Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy, in order to assess the impact and prepare a final version of the policy, and the Equalities Impact Assessment.  Both the Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy and the wider Housing Supply Plan will be reported back to Cabinet for approval.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval to consult on the proposed Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy, in order to assess the impact of the policy and to prepare a final version of both the policy and the Equalities Impact Assessment that accompanies it. Both the Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy and the wider Housing Supply Plan would be reported back to Cabinet for approval.

RESOLVED

      I.        To note that the council’s Housing Supply Plan is being developed in response to current and forthcoming pressures on affordable housing supply in Haringey, as set out in the report and summarised in appendix 1 of the report.

    II.        To note the draft Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy set out in appendix 2 of the report and the draft Equalities Impact Assessment that accompanies it, attached as appendix 3 of the report.

   III.        To authorise consultation with those residents who may be affected by the draft Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy, and  with key stakeholders as set out in the report, in order that the policy and the draft Equalities Impact Assessment can be finalised.

  IV.        To note the proposed support package for households placed outside London set out in paragraph 6.17 of the report, which may be subject to change as a result of consultation, and that specific budget provision for this may be required.

REASONS FOR DECISION

There were over 8,000 applicants on the housing register and every year around 500 new statutory homelessness duties were accepted by the council.  As the supply of housing reduced and becomes more expensive, there was a need to take steps to ensure the council could better respond to those who approach the council as homeless and in acute housing need.  There was a particular issue with the supply of homes that could be used as temporary accommodation and changes to the sourcing and allocation of temporary accommodation were required to address this.

Where the council has a prima facie responsibility to households presenting in acute housing need it must source suitable affordable accommodation for that household; increasingly this was becoming more difficult to locate inside and close to the borough boundary.  A placement policy was therefore required to be applied in the case of placement into temporary accommodation outside of the borough.  A decision was required in order that the council could move to adopt this new Temporary Accommodation Placements Policy.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

All feasible options to improve supply and meet demand have been considered and would continue to be further considered as part of the Housing Supply Plan.

The procurement and allocation of temporary accommodation has become increasingly difficult within the Haringey and London market.  Alternative options to meet demand were not available to the council within current budget provisions and the allocation of any additional funding would detrimentally affect the provision of other council services.

The council could have chosen  not to adopt a placement policy for temporary accommodation.  However, officers must be able to demonstrate a clear rationale, eligibility criteria for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To consider any new Items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 2 above.

N/A