Agenda item

Purpose of report: Scrutiny of Services

To provide an update on single homelessness in Surrey and how Adult Social Care works to support single homeless people.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Andrea Cannon, Director of Client Strategy and Delivery, Transform Housing & Support

Alison Wilks, Strategic Housing Manager, Mole Valley District Council

Key points raised during the discussion:

·        The Director of Client Strategy and Delivery at Transform Housing & Support (DCSD) gave a brief introduction to the report in particular highlighting that homelessness is an increasing problem across Surrey. Attention was also drawn to a judgement made by the Supreme Court on 13 May 2015 that requires local authorities to widen the ‘vulnerability test’ they apply to assess single homeless people which will have a significant impact as the number required to be accommodated will increase. Generally, Surrey has strong support services for the homeless although there is some concern that CCGs are not fully aware of the type of services that can properly support homeless people in Surrey.

·        The Strategic Housing Manager at Mole Valley District Council (SHM) stressed the importance of funding through the Housing Related Support Programme (HRSP) which is critical to ensuring that the districts and boroughs can continue to provide support services to the homeless in Surrey. The issue of accommodating homeless people with complex needs was also raised as a particular challenge as there is a need to ensure that these cases are adequately supported to live in temporary or permanent accommodation. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have issued a call for evidence on this issue and subsequently funding may be available to help these cases as a result. The SHM also explained that the HRSP provides critical funding for the Surrey domestic abuse outreach services and Women’s refuges.

·        Information was requested by the Committee on efforts being made to coordinate the efforts of housing support services with the Family Support Programme. The SHM confirmed that work is being done to join up the work of relevant services to tackle homelessness in Surrey and that funding has been received from DCLG had previously been received in order to achieve this and is known as the Surrey Homeless Alliance. DCLG funding has also recently been received by district and boroughs for initiatives for the single homeless including rough sleepers and two projects have been established in the east (East Surrey Outreach Service (eSOS)) and west (Single Homeless Alliance West Surrey (SHAWS) of the county. Both work on the Family Support Programme principle of the ‘team around the person’. In Surrey Heath the initiative will be located within the Family Support Team and this presents an opportunity to learn the potential benefits.

·        The Committee asked why four of the 11 districts and boroughs aren’t part of SHAWS. It was advised that the four eastern districts and boroughs have formed a partnership which covers the east of the county and collaborate to improve outcomes for homeless people in Surrey in a similar way. Members were further informed that Transform is supporting the development of a Surrey Homeless Alliance, involving the statutory and voluntary sector, which will coordinate efforts to tackle homelessness across all 11 districts and boroughs to share best practice.

·        Concerns were expressed that a chronic shortage of housing supply across the county undermines the capacity of housing support services to tackle homelessness as there is simply not enough suitable accommodation. Members were informed that a number of districts and boroughs are in the process of developing their local plans and so it would be an opportune moment to make representations to them to ensure that they provide adequate provision to house homeless people.

·        Members asked what the council can do to help district and borough councils deliver on their statutory duties to support the homeless. The SHM reiterated the importance of the funding that the council allocates to the districts and boroughs through the HRSP and highlighted that the continuation of this funding was crucial to ensure that services to support homeless people in Surrey can be delivered. Attention was also drawn to unused public land and buildings and the SHM suggested that some of these buildings or land might be better used to provide temporary or permanent accommodation for homeless households and those in housing need.

·        The Committee asked about what continuing support services are available once accommodation has been found for a homeless person. The SHM explained that the HRSP funds tenancy support services that cover all of Surrey which work with people who have recently been placed in accommodation to ensure that they receive practical help and support to keep their tenancy and prevent them becoming homeless again. By way of example in Mole Valley the service provider is Parashoot.

·        Discussions took place on the planning permission requirements for setting up winter shelter and hostel accommodation and the fact that residents are often resistant to having homeless people sheltered in their neighbourhood. The SHM agreed that there was often resistance, however, as planning authorities the districts and boroughs had to take into account objections from residents when considering planning applications.

·        The Guildford area was singled out as having a particularly significant homelessness problem and a brief description of the services available to homeless people in this area was provided to the Committee. Details were also given on how the number of people sleeping rough in a given area is estimated. Partner organisations are often asked to highlight problem areas where they know homeless people congregate and sleep to help provide an accurate assessment. During very cold periods the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is implemented whereby district and borough councils are required to provide accommodation for homeless people if the weather is forecast to be below zero degrees for three consecutive nights. District and boroughs generally take a pragmatic view and will accommodate homeless people as soon as the temperature falls below zero.

·        The SHM advised Members of a website called streetlink which allows residents to report where they have seen a rough sleeper and this information is then passed onto districts and boroughs to investigate.

·        The Committee inquired about the contribution made by health services to tackling homelessness given the financial benefits that they receive from these efforts. The DCSD indicated that HRSP monies are now part of the Better Care Fund which is overseen by the CCGs.  However, she expressed concern that despite this, CCGs and other health organisation aren’t fully aware of the benefits that they derive from efforts to support the homeless population in Surrey such as avoiding Accident & Emergency admissions. It is important to raise awareness across the CCGs of how HRSP services prevent the need for acute intervention by health.

Recommendations:

The Committee:

1.    Endorses the current approach to housing related support for single homeless people in Surrey.

2.    Supports the SHAWS and eSOS initiatives and recommends that the council and partners coordinate their work together to provide year round services that prevent rough sleeping across the county.

3.    Proposes that the Health and Wellbeing Board consider including homelessness in their priorities when their current strategy is reviewed, to support working across agencies on this issue, and ensure the alignment of commissioning strategies particularly those relating to emotional wellbeing and mental health.

4.    Proposes that the Housing Related Support Programme develop links with the Supporting Families Programme to explore potential areas of joint work.

5.    Proposes that the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care in conjunction with District & Borough’s Chief Executives write a joint letter to the Minister with responsibility for planning to highlight the difficulties faced in providing accommodation for homeless people.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

1.    Scrutiny Officer to share Streetlink website address with Members.

Committee next steps:

            None