Skip to main content

Agenda item

ALLOCATION OF MHCLG HOMELESSNESS GRANT

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

 

The Council has received a multi-year funding settlement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), ring-fenced for the purpose of supporting the Council in meeting its homelessness duties. This report details proposals for the allocation of some of this funding in line with grant conditions, national policy and local priorities.

 

Decision:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the funding proposals for the allocation of Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant received from the MHCLG as outlined in Table 1 in paragraph 8.13.

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)  There is a need to secure housing services for homeless households in the district, including key existing services on the single homeless pathway. Adopting the recommendation at 2.1 secures the provision of high-quality local services to help those in need and provides stability into the first year of the new unitary authority.

 

(2)  The recommendation at 2.1 is consistent with the priorities set out in the Council’s Housing Strategy (2024 – 2029) and the Council Plan.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 1 hour 31 minutes 55 seconds

 

The Chair invited Councillor Jon Clayden, as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Clayden advised that:

 

·       Following receipt of funds from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the report proposed a multiyear funding settlement to allow the Council to meet its homelessness duties.

·       The discussion at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting raised no significant or substantial comments on the proposals and the Committee were broadly in support.

·       There was some discussion around the competition for housing places, including against other authorities, and how the Council approached this.

·       There was some discussion about how prioritisation was given to those within the district against those outside.

·       However, these discussions were the Committee trying to understand processes, rather than specific concerns with the proposals.

 

Councillor Mick Debenham, as Executive Member for Regulatory, presented the report entitled ‘Allocation of MHCLG Homelessness Grant’ and highlighted that:

 

·       The Council had received ringfenced funding from MHCLG to provide support for homelessness in line with its statutory duties.

·       The report proposed a 3-year funding settlement for the spend of the remainder of the grant and would leave around £426k outstanding.

·       The Council was required to work with key partners, such as OneYMCA, Lets4U, Citizens Advice, Herts Young Homeless and the Rough Sleeper Outreach service, to deliver on duties.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·       Councillor Sean Nolan

·       Councillor Amy Allen

 

In response to questions, the Strategic Housing Manager advised that:

 

·       The government announcement to end homelessness was not a change in legislation, but there had been a funding announcement which was around £250 over 3 years for North Herts.

·       There were historically low numbers of homelessness in the district, but the Council acted in excess of the legal minimum requirements.

·       The biggest issue faced was with engagement with the services.

·       The additional funding would mean that a full time member of the team could be employed to specifically look at outreach to support homeless people.

 

Councillor Mick Debenham proposed to approve the recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Daniel Allen.

 

As part of the debate, Councillor Daniel Allen noted that the team had been dealing with the issue of homelessness well and the service being provided by OneYMCA at Anderson House, Hitchin was good quality.

 

Having been proposed and seconded and following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the funding proposals for the allocation of Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant received from the MHCLG as outlined in Table 1 in paragraph 8.13.

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)   There is a need to secure housing services for homeless households in the district, including key existing services on the single homeless pathway. Adopting the recommendation at 2.1 secures the provision of high-quality local services to help those in need and provides stability into the first year of the new unitary authority.

 

(2)   The recommendation at 2.1 is consistent with the priorities set out in the Council’s Housing Strategy (2024 – 2029) and the Council Plan.

Supporting documents: