Agenda item

To consider the attached report and to note the update with regards to the Council’s response to rough sleeping throughout the pandemic; the additional funding secured from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG); the robust prevention and relief services that have subsequently been developed and the outcomes to date of that service delivery.

The Community & Wellbeing Service Director, J Gould presented a report on the Council’s response to rough sleeping in the district throughout the pandemic and the additional funding secured to support the service.

The Committee were advised of the following points;

• A total of 27 clients presented as rough sleepers between April and 23^rd December 2020;
• 3 were found to of had a priority need and were accommodated in line with Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended);
• 4 were made offers of accommodation but failed to engage and contact was lost;
• 20 were accommodated in emergency, nightly paid accommodation.
• 15 of the 20 were accommodated in response to the Everyone In directive and the remaining 5 were accommodated post October via the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NASP).
• Funding for Rough Sleeper Initiative Grant and Next Steps Accommodation Programme had been achieved for 2020/21 and the costs associated with the Everyone In directive would be returned to the Government as part of EFDC’s additional Covid-19 spending strain. 
• To assist with EFDC rough sleeper service delivery and housing solutions, a specialist link worker with particular expertise in assisting rough sleepers had been established in the homelessness team and progress was currently being made to secure a dedicated mental health specialist.
• In addition, a six-bed house of multiple occupation within the district had been secured which would provide long-term accommodation for single homeless clients on an assured shorthold tenancy basis and;
• A unit of EFDC’s own housing stock was being leased to Chess to provide next step, supported accommodation to rough sleepers.

Finally, the Government had made a commitment to continue Rough Sleeper Initiative Grant funding and Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme into 2021/22, which the council would work look to secure a share of the future funding.

Councillor J McIvor enquired whether the Council could work more closely with neighbouring authorities in addition to current collaborations. The Community & Wellbeing Service Director advised that currently the Council was in a working partnership with Braintree, Rochford, Chelmsford and Maldon, where discussions and initiatives were discussed. She advised that opportunities with Harlow District Council would also need to be explored, as many of the district rough sleepers sought services in Harlow rather than Chelmsford and this would need to be investigated over the next year.

Councillor S Rackham what happened to rough sleepers who continually refuse help. The Community & Wellbeing Service Director advised that it could be difficult, as the Council did not have any enforcement powers, although officers tried to keep in regular contact, offer help and had used some of the funding for a dedicated mental health specialist.  

Councillor D Wixley enquired where mental health issues had been a factor in the increased figures of rough sleepers or if there was any other common reasons. The Community & Wellbeing Service Director advised that she would find out and report back to him. Although from experience, many rough sleepers had multiply and complex needs.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee was updated on the Council’s response to rough sleeping throughout the pandemic between the period of April and 23 December 2020;

2.    That additional funding from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government had been secured; and

3.    That robust prevention and relief services had been developed.