Agenda item

To update the Committee on key pieces of housing and homelessness work being undertaken, service performance, and progress made.

Ms Vikki Piper, Head of Housing, presented the Housing and Homelessness Annual Report. She informed the Committee that significant Levelling-Up work had been taking place and was planned in relation to housing and homelessness. It was also reported that the majority of the housing projects being undertaken were on schedule.

In respect of homelessness Ms Piper stated that the pressure on services had grown significantly and was an area of concern. This had been attributed to the ongoing national economic situation including the cost of living crisis.

The Committee discussed the levelling-up work taking place, with Ms Piper reporting that this was focussed on housing work. She informed members that the work with the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) involved two ongoing projects. The first project related to an enforcement pilot of new standards by the Council with support from DLUHC seeking to address exploitation in the local private rented sector and supported housing market improving housing quality and protecting the most vulnerable people in Blackpool.

The second project involved DLUHC support for further economic regeneration that would allow Blackpool’s housing stock to match the investments seen into the Town Centre.

Members of the Committee discussed the role of housing in supporting the work of Children’s Services in Blackpool’s Central Area. It was noted that many of the problems experienced in the area were related to the poor quality housing located there. Ms Piper explained that the Council had recognised the joint working required by services to address the problems faced by children in the Central Area and that Housing Services worked with Children’s Services in addressing these.

The Committee considered the impact of house prices on residents, noting that historically rising house prices had been seen as a positive and a driver for further investment. However increasing prices would also mean some properties became unaffordable for Blackpool’s residents and first time buyers. Ms Piper explained that Blackpool’s housing market was very complex, but that house prices had stabilised since Covid. However increasing rental costs remained an issue. The increase of landlord’s costs due to the ongoing cost of living crisis had been passed on to renters. The impact of this was noted as having been heaviest on those living in houses of multiple occupancy (HMO).

Noting recent reports in the media regarding the housing of asylum seekers in Blackpool hotels, the Committee queried the Council’s role in their care. Ms Piper responded that those housed in Blackpool would only remain until their asylum claim had been processed, but that responsibility for their care was the responsibility of the Home Office. She also reported that there had been a number of media reports that contained factually incorrect information regarding migrants in Blackpool and that the Council would be seeking to clarify these reports in the future.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was discussed by the Committee with it being noted that details had yet to be finalised. Ms Piper explained that the details of where rough sleepers would be accommodated had yet to be agreed and that this would not be with bed and breakfasts as during the Covid pandemic. She added that these locations would remain private but that the SWEP would be activated for winter 2022 and that it would remain in place until spring 2023.

Funding for homelessness prevention was also outlined for the Committee with Ms Piper reporting that the Council received £600k in Homelessness Prevention Grant and £200k over three years of funding from the Rough Sleeping Initiative. These were important sources of ring fenced revenue however it was noted that further funding from council resources was needed to meet the demand being experienced by services.

The Committee agreed: That the update be noted.