Decision details

A Multi Agency Group (MAG) has been formed across Surrey County Council, District & Borough Councils, Surrey Police and other partner agency to review and address issues relating to homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This group is exploring ways to reduce homelessness and in doing so reduce the risk of spreading the virus in the community.

This includes securing suitable accommodation for both suitable social isolation for positive cases and cross sector coaching and care in the community for people with complex needs to help them settle into new accommodation and prevent a return to homelessness.

The initial costs of the work of the new MAG is estimated to be £200k for the period through until the end of March 2021.

It is proposed Surrey County Council makes a £100k contribution towards these costs.  This funding would be paid to local partner agencies and providers including housing, mental health and substance misuse via Public Health who are acting as the lead coordinator for the project.

Other funding for the work is expected to come from Office Police and Crime Commissioner and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government via the local collaborative bids that are currently being developed.

A longer term plan and funding for this work will be reviewed based on the outcomes of the findings of this work and pilot schemes.

Decision made:

It was agreed that SCC pay £100,000 to housing, mental health and substance misuse via the Council’s Public Health service who are acting as the lead coordinator for the delivery of the homelessness schemes being taken forwards by the new MAG.

Reasons for Decision:

To support COVID-19 infection control across Surrey and also to ensure some of Surrey’s most vulnerable residents receive critical support to help reduce homelessness in the longer term.

To support COVID-19 infection control across Surrey and also to ensure some of Surrey’s most vulnerable residents receive critical support to help reduce homelessness in the longer term.

SCC could have chosen not to make a contribution.  However, this would have left residents vulnerable and delayed action to help control the spread of the virus.

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