Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update to the Homelessness and Housing Need report which was presented to the Scrutiny Committee in November 2023. The report also seeks comment on the proposal for fulfilling our homeless duties by making a final offer for suitable accommodation outside of Stockport where necessary and appropriate.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report and comment upon the proposed use of out of Borough placements as outlined in the report and at Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email

andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on homelessness and housing need in the borough. Members were also asked to consider the proposal for fulfilling the council’s homeless duties by making a final offer of suitable accommodation outside of Stockport where necessary and appropriate.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was noted that approval would be sought to pilot the ‘Out of Borough Placement’ scheme at appendix 1 from the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing.

·         It was advised that the findings of the report were reflective of the national picture and although Stockport had above-average homelessness prevention rates across Greater Manchester (GM), work continued to support families in need within the borough.

·         The pilot sought to provide a better solution to families being placed in temporary accommodation e.g., a hotel, where the lack of stability led to the family’s life chances being undermined. It was expected that the pilot would help a smaller number of people with looser links to Stockport to move into a sustainable out of borough placement. The placement would be a permanent solution in a sustainable tenancy, providing families with security and stability.

·         It was noted that a person was classified as homeless until the local authority duty had been discharged reasonably.

·         It was reported that some larger properties may have a single person or couple residing there, and that building good quality one or two bed properties could help to free up larger homes.

·         The option to move out of borough for families would be on a voluntary basis and the pilot would be managed with a huge degree of sensitivity and empathy. Members were reassured that offers to families were bespoke and that the team worked hard to understand personal family circumstances and needs before making an offer.

·         It was reported that there was a net movement to cheaper areas within GM, and concerns were raised about the polarisation of communities.

·         Members were keen to receive an update on the pilot as it progressed.

Thanks were expressed to the team for their work on the pilot to date.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.