Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Housing Lead.

The Covid Crisis which led to the lockdown of much of society at the end of March 2019 posed significant challenges to homelessness services across the Country.  With an initial focus on ensuring the safety of temporary accommodation residents and responding to a call from the Government to offer accommodation to all rough sleepers, the Council and Stockport Homes Group (SHG) worked closely alongside partners from across Greater Manchester (GM) and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to ensure an effective and co-ordinated approach.

This report provides a summary of the initial impact of the Crisis and the response within the Borough, and outlines some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse.  Key areas of work that were underway at the time the Crisis started, such as reviewing the Council’s homelessness strategy are also again taking centre stage as people move back towards a more normalised environment, and these are also referenced within the report.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the initial impact of the crisis and the response within the Borough with regard to homelessness, and outlining some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse.  

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Concern was expressed regarding the homelessness situation in Stockport and homeless people being able to find somewhere to take a shower e.g. local hostel.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the ‘Wellspring’ and whether it would be re-opened to the community. In response, it was noted that the ‘Wellspring’ had not yet reopened but homeless people were being directed to the men’s and women’s hostels that provided toiletries and towels in a safe environment. The hostels was also able to provide advice and guidance to support the homeless.

·         It was suggested that a lot of work was being for homelessness in Stockport through social media and with social landlords to seek help and to approach the Council. Alternative accommodation and engagement with landlords and housing contracts were also being looked to respond to the issues.

·         Members welcomed the news of the mental health provisions returning to the Council to directly manage.

·         It was commented that the housing options had fallen this year in comparison to last year and the expectation of tenants being evicted in August 2020 was a concern. In response it was reported that the reduction were mainly families with Section 21 orders being stopped. People were not accessing services as they would normally. It was also noted that work is ongoing with tenants and families regarding rent arrears, evictions and other difficulties. Other support and preventative work has also been ongoing with information and communication being shared to inform tenants and keep people informed.

·         Members thanked the officer team for the work that was being done to support the local residents and the homeless people during these difficult times and for the ongoing response being provided.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Strategic Housing Lead.

The Covid Crisis which led to the lockdown of much of society at the end of March 2019 posed significant challenges to homelessness services across the Country.  With an initial focus on ensuring the safety of temporary accommodation residents and responding to a call from the Government to offer accommodation to all rough sleepers, the Council and Stockport Homes Group (SHG) worked closely alongside partners from across Greater Manchester (GM) and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to ensure an effective and co-ordinated approach.

This report provides a summary of the initial impact of the Crisis and the response within the Borough, and outlines some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse.  Key areas of work that were underway at the time the Crisis started, such as reviewing the Council’s homelessness strategy are also again taking centre stage as people move back towards a more normalised environment, and these are also referenced within the report.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Andy Kippax on 0161 474 4319 or email: andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the initial impact of the crisis and the response within the Borough with regard to homelessness, and outlining some of the longer-term legacy issues anticipated, particularly in relation to people falling into financial difficulties and the potential increased incidence of domestic abuse. 

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was queried how councillors could feed into the ‘virtual’ stakeholder event that was undertaken on 16 September 2020.  In response it was stated that the event was well attended with professionals from across the sector and the most encouraging aspect of the event was the involvement of health partners.  It was stated that there would be opportunities for councillors to feed into the review of the Homelessness Strategy.

·         The work of officers from both the council and Stockport Homes in tackling homelessness was commended.

·         Further information was requested on how support was offered to those that needed help in those areas of the borough that were most remote from the town centre.  In response it was stated that Stockport Homes had two outreach support workers that visited various areas of the borough each day looking for rough sleepers and there was also a 24 hour emergency telephone service.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the thanks and appreciation of the scrutiny committee be relayed to those officers involved in providing the Council and partners’ ongoing response to homelessness and the provision of temporary accommodation during the covid-19 pandemic.