Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee note the latest financial position in relation to homelessness; and

(b)       That the Committee support the options outlined in Appendix 1 to increase supply and mitigate further overspends on the homelessness budget.

The Service Manager – Housing & Prevention introduced a report to outline options that had been developed for consideration to manage the overspend on the homelessness budget. 

Within the Housing Solutions service there were specific budgets for homeless

accommodation settings for ‘interim housing’.  In addition to this budgeted provision for these locations, including the Homeless Hub, there was a further specific budget for emergency accommodation.  This budget was used when there was no remaining capacity in other budgeted temporary accommodation.  The emergency accommodation used was mostly hotel rooms, within and beyond the boundaries of Flintshire, together with some use of other forms of holiday lets, such as caravans and apartments.

            The Service Manager reported that within the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2023/24 (Month 4) reported to Cabinet in September 2023, it was recommended that, as required by the Council’s Finance Procedure Rules, a separate report was prepared to expand on the reasons for the significant overspend on the

homelessness budget and the mitigations being put in place.

Within the Housing Solutions service there were specific budgets for homeless

accommodation settings for ‘interim housing’. In addition to this budgeted provision for these locations, including the Homeless Hub, there was a further specific budget for emergency accommodation. This budget was used when there was no remaining capacity in other budgeted temporary accommodation. The emergency accommodation used was mostly hotel rooms, within and beyond the boundaries of Flintshire, together with some use of other forms of holiday lets, such as caravans and apartments.

            The Service Manager reported that options had been developed for consideration to manage the overspend on the homelessness budget, which were as follows:-

1. Fast tracking review of sheltered housing – covering accommodation for groups over the age of 55 and mini groups for those 50+ and the possible reduction on the age threshold.

2. Increase in homeless accommodation and review similar model to the Queensferry hub.

3. Changes to allocation policy – SARTH changes to single access property.  (Caveat on this approach due to upcoming major changes in legislation).

4. Alternative use of FCC stock – to take more Housing from the HRA to use as temporary accommodation and create house sharing for single occupancy.

5. Review offers to private landlords – increasing the amount of money to landlords for leasing, and or offering more incentives.

The Committee were asked to consider and provide feedback on each of the options, as outlined at Appendix 1 of the report.

Option 1

            The Service Manager – Housing & Prevention detailed the proposals under option 1, which related to the options for fast tracking the review of sheltered housing.

A number of concerns were raised around the impact reducing the age threshold could have on elderly people living in sheltered accommodation.  Assurance was given by Officers and the Cabinet Member that there would not be a blanket approach and that they were not proposing to let all available properties to young people, potentially challenging individuals, alongside elderly tenants.  The Cabinet Member hoped that the report and his comments provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48