Issue - meetings

The report provides an update on the progress being made on the Temporary Accommodation Action Plan.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided an update on the progress being made in respect of the Temporary Accommodation Action Plan.  A summary was attached at Annex 1.

Members commended the good progress that continued to be made on reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation and currently this was reported as 97.  As highlighted in the Action Plan there were a number of areas that required focus and these included the implementation of the Housing Allocation Scheme, a revised approach to procurement and accessing the private rented sector.

The key risks associated with maintaining or improving the number of households in temporary accommodation were detailed in 1.5.1 of the report.  These risks, together with potential mitigating actions and the good progress being made in controlling budget spend, were noted by Members.

Following consideration by the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

(1)      the progress made against the Temporary Accommodation Plan be noted.

The report provided an update on the progress being made in respect of the Temporary Accommodation Action Plan.  A summary was attached at Annex 1.

Members commended the good progress that continued to be made on reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation and currently this was reported as 97.  As highlighted in the Action Plan there were a number of areas that required focus and these included the implementation of the Housing Allocation Scheme, a revised approach to procurement and accessing the private rented sector.

The key risks associated with maintaining or improving the number of households in temporary accommodation were detailed in 1.5.1 of the report.  These risks, together with potential mitigating actions and the good progress being made in controlling budget spend, were noted by Members.

There was in-depth discussion on the difficulty in accessing the private rented sector because of landlords being unable to take tenants on benefits due to their insurance requirements and the Borough Council’s property portfolio strategy.  Members were assured that options to address these challenges continued to be explored.  In particular, the experience gained from previous property purchases to use as temporary accommodation would be beneficial in any future projects.  It was recognised that having a property portfolio had many benefits for both residents and the Borough Council.

RECOMMENDED:  That the progress made against the Temporary Accommodation Plan be noted.

*Decision Taken by Cabinet Member