Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out the Housing and Homelessness Strategy for adoption.

The Council is required to have an up to date Strategy to prevent homelessness.  The proposed Housing and Homelessness Strategy for adoption covered the period 2019-2024 and would replace the Council’s previous strategy which operated between 2013 and 2018.

The Housing Strategy and Homelessness Strategy had been combined into one document, reflecting the fact that activities to prevent homelessness are dependent on the availability of additional housing, an improvement in the management and quality of existing housing and the advice and support available to people who need it to successfully maintain their home.  This ensures the Council takes a comprehensive and joined up approach to all matters relating to housing and homelessness.

The final strategy had been updated following a period of consultation in November and December 2018.  The results of the consultation were set out in Appendix 3 of the report submitted.

The Strategy continued to focus on four main themes: Preventing homelessness and supporting homeless households; Support for people and communities; Improving the use of existing homes; and New housing developments.

The Cabinet noted that the Strategy would also be supported by an Action Plan that would remain a live document and be monitored and delivered by the City Council and its relevant partners.  The Strategy and the Action Plan were both appended to the report submitted.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1.  Note the consultation responses received to the draft Housing and Homelessness Strategy and the summary report provided at Appendix 3.

2.  Recommend that Council adopt the new Housing and Homelessness Strategy (Appendix 1) and the supporting Action Plan (Appendix 2) with effect from 20^th March 2019.