Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Executive Director of Adult Services, which gave an update of the homelessness service provision administered by the Housing Solutions Team. 

The report provided details on homelessness performance, services being commissioned, Section 21 Notices seeking possession or eviction, future challenges and contributing factors affecting the service delivery, as well as funding information.  It was reported that a recent survey had found that Halton had the lowest number of rough sleepers and hotel occupancy in comparison with its neighbours.

The following points were made by Members:

·       One Member queried the status of 12 empty housing units in Grangeway, Runcorn, for the past 10 years.  It was noted that the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Wright, had set up a working group to look at this and other empty properties in the Borough;

·       The costs of accommodating homeless people in temporary accommodation were discussed;

·       It was confirmed that people sleeping/living in cars were considered to be ‘rough sleeping’;

·       Poor social housing conditions should be reported to Environmental Health, not the Housing Solutions Team;

·       It was commented however that due to poor social housing conditions, there were cases where tenants had made themselves intentionally homeless, in order to escape a property making them ill; and

·       It was felt that social landlords should be made more accountable with regards to the safety and conditions of their properties.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.