Report of the Strategic Lead for Homelessness

This report provides an update on the work that is taking place to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the City. It covers the impact on Manchester of the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017; presents information on the work to tackle rough sleeping; and covers the impact of the Cold Weather Provision.

The report includes the new draft Strategy for Homelessness for the City of Manchester. This Strategy is currently under discussion and will be signed off by the Homeless Partnership in September, for launching on the 10 October, World Homeless Day. The report also includes the Council’s wider action plan for homelessness that will sit below the Strategy for comment.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Lead for Homelessness that provided an update on the work that was taking place to tackle homelessness and people sleeping rough sleeping in the City.

Officers referred to the main points and themes within the report which included:-

·                The impact on Manchester of the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017;

·                Information on the work to tackle people who are sleeping rough;

·                The impact of the Cold Weather Provision;

·                The new draft Strategy for Homelessness for the City of Manchester that was currently under discussion and would be signed off by the Homeless Partnership in September, for launching on the 10 October, World Homeless Day; and

·                The Council’s wider action plan for homelessness that would sit below the Strategy.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:-

·                The appropriateness of placing families in temporary accommodation that extended for periods of up to two years and the impact that this had on children’s education and a families wider support network;

·                Whilst recognising the success of the Longford Centre what provision was there for homeless people with complex mental health and / or substance misuse issues;

·                A City Centre ward Member commented on the excellent work undertaken by the Council’s outreach workers with people sleeping rough and the partnership approach to address this issue;

·                What were the true numbers of people sleeping rough and how many were there outside of the city centre;

·                Members commented on the generous nature of Mancunians who gave money to people sleeping rough but questioned if this was enabling people to remain living on the streets and not helping alleviate the problem;

·                There was a clear distinction between street begging and people sleeping rough;

·                The impact of austerity and welfare reform on the levels of homelessness;

·                Domestic Violence was absent from the Manchester Homelessness Strategy;

·                How long were homeless people in B&B accommodation and concern was expressed regarding the condition of these properties;

·                How effective was the triage service provided to people who presented as homeless as there was anecdotal evidence of inappropriate service and solutions offered to families, often out of area; and

·                Were there any other places that people could present and be assessed rather than having to attend the Town Hall and wait for often long periods of time to be seen and assessed.

Councillor Karney, Member for Harpuhey ward addressed the Committee and said that his ward and the neighbouring ward of Moston were proud to offer support to homeless people but were disappointed to note that both wards had been identified within the report. He further called for additional resources for the wards to help support these residents who are housed in the area. The Deputy Leader apologised to the Member and commented that dispersed accommodation was provided across the city. She said that discussions were ongoing with Housing Providers to look at options for the management of these properties and offer floating support to tenants. She said that work was also ongoing at a Greater Manchester level to resolve this issue. She further commented that the demands of the Homelessness Reduction Act had to be delivered within existing financial resources.

The Deputy Leader acknowledged the concerns raised by the Members about their constituents and said she was aware of the impact of placing families with children away from their local community. She said that a response to the individual case highlighted by the Member would be provided. She advised that she would be seeking to address the issues raised around travel and emergency funds with colleagues in Children’s Services and the Benefits Unit.

The Deputy Leader reported that domestic violence services and support were commissioned through Adult Services and a report on this issue would be considered at the meeting of Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee on 6 September 2018. She assured the Committee that this issue was taken very seriously and that the Homelessness Strategy would be updated before it was presented to the Homeless Partnership.

The Deputy Leader said that the Cold Weather provision had been a success last year and had provided a bed for everyone who was homeless when the temperature fell below zero. She said that they were seeking to extend this emergency provision in the coming year. 

The Strategic Lead for Homelessness said that the Homeless Charter Group did review the ‘front door’ service that was provided for people who present as homeless, currently 80 – 90 per day. She said that in addition to the Town Hall reception young people could attend Centre Point for an assessment and The Riverside Group provided assessments for refugees. She also informed the Committee that they were looking at options to undertake assessments at Etrop Court and that Woodward Court provided accommodation for homeless people with complex needs. She commented that opportunities for delivering assessments in other locations such as day centres, hospitals and the prison are being explored. In response to a question regarding workers case loads she informed the Committee that this was currently at 45 cases. She advised that the automated bidding system would bid for homes on a person’s behalf if they were unable to do so themselves, or if they were bidding inappropriately.

The Strategic Lead for Homelessness said that Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust are seeking to increase the number of mental health outreach workers to engage with people sleeping rough. She said that this was an example of partners across the city, both statutory and voluntary working together to respond to the issue of homelessness. She informed the Committee that £0.5m funding had been secured to coproduce rough sleeping initiatives to tackle people sleeping rough. In response to the question regarding numbers of people sleeping rough she advised that the most recent count had identified 127 people sleeping rough in the city centre. The figures for outside of the city centre would be circulated to Members.

The Strategic Lead for Homelessness responded to the comments raised regarding out of area placements. She said that they always tried to avoid this and it was often due to the lack of accommodation available locally. She asked Members to inform the homelessness team of any private landlords that they were aware of in their wards who would be willing to accommodate homeless people and families.  She said that the use of B&Bs was regulated by national guidance and the average stay was currently 14 days.

The Strategic Lead for Homelessness responded to a request for further information on Social Impact Bonds by saying that this was a Greater Manchester project and additional information would be circulated to Members.

The Deputy Leader said that begging was a significant issue in the city centre and in other areas. She said Mancunians were very generous however giving money to homeless peoples was counter productive. She said people should be encouraged to give money to the Big Change Fund as this had demonstrated that people could be supported to move into accommodation and off the streets. She said a campaign would be launched before Christmas to raise public awareness. 

Decisions

The Committee welcomes the positive response by the Council and partners to the complex issue of homelessness and to help vulnerable people in the city.

[Councillor Azra Ali declared a personal and non prejudicial interest as an employee of CGL Manchester]