Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Purpose of report

To update the Executive on the progress of the Homeless Prevention Action Plan 2016/17.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the update on the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan at Appendix 1 which takes account of learning from the current year’s plan, and reflects Cherwell District Council’s application for the Gold Standard accreditation for homelessness services.

1.2      To note the contents of the report and the importance of the Homeless Action Plan, and the particular benefits the Council derives from financially supporting preventative homelessness services in partnership with other voluntary agency bodies. 

Resolved

(1)          That the update on the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) which takes account of learning from the current year’s plan, and reflects Cherwell District Council’s application for the Gold Standard accreditation for homelessness services be approved.

(2)          That the report and the importance of the Homeless Action Plan, and the particular benefits the Council derives from financially supporting preventative homelessness services in partnership with other voluntary agency bodies be noted. 

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report to update the Executive on the progress of the Homeless Prevention Action Plan 2016/17.

Resolved

(1)          That the update on the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) which takes account of learning from the current year’s plan, and reflects Cherwell District Council’s application for the Gold Standard accreditation for homelessness services be approved.

(2)          That the report and the importance of the Homeless Action Plan, and the particular benefits the Council derives from financially supporting preventative homelessness services in partnership with other voluntary agency bodies be noted. 

Reasons

It is through adopting this Action Plan that the Council makes clear its commitment to the homelessness prevention agenda to both Central Government and its partners across the statutory and voluntary sectors.

The Homelessness Prevention Action Plan is a result of a review of the previous action plan as directed in Chapter 5 of the Housing Strategy, which requires a review of partnerships.

The adoption of the Homelessness Prevention Action Plan is an important step on the Council’s journey to achieving Gold Standard for Homelessness Services, and all that lies behind that award.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to endorse the Homeless Action Plan 2016/17 which highlights the continued need to work in partnership and highlights the request to continue funding to support the prevention of Homelessness. This has been rejected as it will lead to an increase in statutory duties to homeless and an increase in spending on provision of expensive temporary accommodation and rough sleeping across the district.