Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning outlining plans to manage the demand for temporary accommodation that include operational service improvements, the development of incentives to access the private rented sector, more flexible use of Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) and the acquisition of property for temporary housing.

RESOLVED that: 

(1)          the high level of demand for temporary housing and the challenge posed in securing a necessary level of supply be noted

(2)       a more flexible use of DHP having regard to relevant legislation be welcomed

(3)       authority be delegated to the Head of Communities, in conjunction with the Head of Policy and Resources (S151 Officer), Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and One Legal to approve: –

                              i.         Any feasible options to acquire, either independently or with partners, more suitable temporary accommodation, and

                            ii.         The development and implementation of an incentive scheme that will  provide better access to the private rented sector

(4)       current service improvement measures to assist in reducing our use of temporary accommodation be noted.

(5)       regular reports be made to Cabinet as appropriate

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning that outlined plans to manage the demand for temporary accommodation that included operational service improvements, the development of incentives to access the private rented sector, more flexible use of Discretionary Housing Payment and the acquisition of property for temporary housing.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration for Economy outlined the background to the report.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods reminded Members of the importance of the issue.  She commented that Members and partners would be working hard not only to address the quality of temporary accommodation but the broader issues around why people end up in it and the support they need once there.

RESOLVED that: 

(1)          the high level of demand for temporary housing and the challenge posed in securing a necessary level of supply be noted

(2)       a more flexible use of DHP having regard to relevant legislation be welcomed

(3)       authority be delegated to the Head of Communities, in conjunction with the Head of Policy and Resources (S151 Officer), Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and One Legal to approve: –

                              i.         Any feasible options to acquire, either independently or with partners, more suitable temporary accommodation, and

                            ii.         The development and implementation of an incentive scheme that will  provide better access to the private rented sector

(4)       current service improvement measures to assist in reducing our use of temporary accommodation be noted.

(5)       regular reports be made to Cabinet as appropriate