Issue - meetings

1. That a review of the 2019-2020 Housing Options Service and Temporary Accommodation provision be approved.

2. That the setting up of a supplementary expenditure budget of £718,000 in 2019-2020 as a result of receipt of Homelessness grant funding be approved and authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Director of City Housing to allocate the grant.

3. That the use of an additional ten Council housing properties for temporary accommodation use be approved.

4. That the transition in 2017 transferring operational homelessness and support services from the City Council to Wolverhampton Homes, the City’s management agent, be noted.

5. That the initial findings in relation to the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on service delivery be noted.

6. That the City’s partnership working that has arisen as a direct response to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 be noted.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the Tackling Homelessness Together - a proactive service approach in line with prevention strategy for approval, subject to an amendment to paragraph 7.1 of the report to replace 31 March 2018 with 31 March 2019.

The report provided an update following the transfer of Council homeless and prevention services to Wolverhampton Homes. The report also outlined the new service proposals and the way in which the service would be

structured and funded in order to meet the needs of current legislation and contribute to meeting the aims of the City’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2018 – 2022 priorities. The implementation of a restructure would enable the service to meet the requirements of current legislation and the increasing demands for temporary accommodation.

It was noted that rough sleeping was a nationwide issue with many causes. City of Wolverhampton Council had undertaken targeted work to reduce homelessness in the City and was now in a position where every rough sleeper had a meal and a place to stay available to them. An alternative giving page would be created in the coming weeks and the Council would request that any monetary donations be made through the site rather than directly to rough sleepers. All donations would be directed towards work to assist rough sleepers in Wolverhampton.

Resolved:

1. That a review of the 2019-2020 Housing Options Service and Temporary Accommodation provision be approved.

2. That the setting up of a supplementary expenditure budget of £718,000 in 2019-2020 as a result of receipt of Homelessness grant funding be approved and authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing and the Director of City Housing to allocate the grant.

3. That the use of an additional ten Council housing properties for temporary accommodation use be approved.

4. That the transition in 2017 transferring operational homelessness and support services from the City Council to Wolverhampton Homes, the City’s management agent, be noted.

5. That the initial findings in relation to the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on service delivery be noted.

6. That the City’s partnership working that has arisen as a direct response to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 be noted.