The Head of Performance and Partnership Services presented a report, to seek Cabinet approval to adopt and submit to Welsh Government the

Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2018 – 2022, which has taken into

consideration consultation responses.

The background of the report confirmed that Part 2 of The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 places a duty on the Council to carry out a Homelessness Review for its area and adopt a Homelessness Strategy, based on the results of that review. The strategy should look to :

• The prevention of homelessness;

• That suitable accommodation is and will be available for people who are or may become homeless;

• That satisfactory support is available for people who are or may become

homeless.

He advised Members, that co-production was a key principle of developing the Strategy, during which, the views of service users in addition to the professionals involved in providing services and support for homeless people were collated.  An independent consultant was also commissioned to undertake the Homelessness Review, he added.

A total of 76 questionnaires from service users were completed, which

provided key information that ultimately informed the objectives and actions

adopted by the Strategy. Service user interaction provided an opportunity

for discussion with individuals, which allowed them to voice their key priorities for action, as well as highlighting their experiences. This included reasons for homeless presentations, outcomes achieved and desired, and background demographics. Other activities participated in to gather information included:

• A half day workshop was held with Bridgend County Borough Council

  (BCBC) Supporting People and Housing Solutions Teams to explore their

  views on local provision and their performance in line with the Housing

  (Wales) Act 2014;

• A half day workshop was held with BCBC Statutory Services; Registered

  Social Landlords and Providers;

• Consultation with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board.

Professional consultees as part of the process included:

Statutory:

• BCBC – Housing Solutions

• BCBC – Supporting People Team

• BCBC – Social Services

• BCBC – Environmental Health

• BCBC – Local Member with Wellbeing Portfolio

• South Wales Police

• Swansea Bay University and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Boards

Providers:

• The Wallich

• Pobl Care & Support

• Llamau

• Calan DVS

• Shelter Cymru

Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s):

• Hafod Housing

• Linc Cymru

• United Welsh

• Valleys to Coast

The Head of Performance and Partnership Services, reminded that a public consultation outlining the Strategy was undertaken over a six week

period, following the presentation of the Strategy to Cabinet on 22 January 2019.

He referred to Appendix A to the report, which included a summary of the public consultation carried out, whilst the Strategy itself was shown at Appendix B.

He then concluded the report, by stating that the aim of the Strategy was to work collaboratively on a corporate basis with external partners and service users, in both a responsive, creative and timely manner, to prevent and relieve homelessness throughout the County Borough. This would ensure that people can access suitable accommodation, with the appropriate support required to meet their needs.

The Cabinet Member – Future Generations and Wellbeing advised that it was sad to note from page from page 75 of the Strategy, that the greatest reason for homelessness was loss of rented or tied accommodation, followed by parent no longer able or willing to accommodate and other relatives or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate. She added that there was a significant reliance on the private rental sector to assist in supporting the homeless.

She also referred to page 83 of the Strategy and looking forward, how it would develop further through different methods, such as the Housing Solutions Team appointing a Gateway Development Officer, whose responsibility it will be to develop and manage a Gateway for support services, to include supported accommodation. New and more innovative ways of working would also be pursued she added.

The Cabinet Member – Future Generations and Wellbeing also pointed out that with the projected change in demographics, this was likely to lead to an increase in people over 55’s finding themselves homeless.

The Leader advised that he was pleased to note that Housing Services had launched a pilot service (SCART) the aim of which was to better support the homeless who also had mental health problems, as well as putting in place improved  mechanisms to support those individuals who sleep rough, ie during the daytime.

The Head of Performance and Partnership Services, confirmed that the Council had been working with the likes of Pobl Care and Support and The Wallich (Wales’ leading homelessness charity), to support rough sleepers in the daytime at Nolton Church, Bridgend on a Wednesday and a Thursday. A similar type provision was also being provided at Ty Ogwr, he added.

The Cabinet Member – Social Services and Early Help, advised that he was encouraged to note paragraph 4.2 of the report, where the Authority were concentrating upon learning the views of service users and listening to professionals who provide services and support for homeless people through consultation. This had been/was very important, as feedback from this, had informed objectives and actions subsequently adopted by the Strategy.

The Leader further added, that there was a need to provide more Social Housing and Affordable Homes within the County Borough, in order to cater for not just the homeless but also families in overcrowded and unsuitable properties. More action was also being taken against empty properties he stressed, in order that they could be brought back into occupational use, as there were far too many of these presently in the County Borough.   

RESOLVED:                   (1)   That Cabinet adopted the Homelessness Strategy attached as Appendix B to the report for submission to Welsh Government.

                                        (2)    That Cabinet receives a further progress   report in due course.