Agenda item

To set out the extent and causes of homelessness in Blackpool, the response of the Council and partner agencies, and the challenges and opportunities that can be foreseen over the next few years.

Mr Andrew Foot, Head of Housing, summarised the key issues to the Committee relating to homelessness. He reported to Members that around 2,500 households, out of 64,000 total households in Blackpool, sought help from the Council’s Housing Options team each year because they were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The level of contacts had remained broadly the same over the past five years. He reported that there had been approximately 1,000 formal homelessness assessments completed by the Housing Options team in the last year. Around 60% of those were found to be homeless but not in priority need and 10% were found to be homeless and in priority need resulting in an immediate duty to find them accommodation. Upon questioning from Members, Mr Foot explained that somebody would be considered priority need if they would find it more difficult than the average person to spend the night as a rough sleeper, for example if they were elderly, had mental health issues or had children.

The Committee was advised that the level of assessments for homelessness in Blackpool was relatively high when compared nationally. It was noted as being by far the highest in Lancashire and higher than some London boroughs. However, it was reported that there was a big gap between the high levels of people presenting as homeless and low levels of people being found to be homeless and in priority need. It was considered that the gap reflected the dynamics in Blackpool, with high numbers of single people failing to keep their homes who were not classed as being in priority need, with the people in priority need being made up predominantly from families with children, 16/17 year olds and people fleeing domestic abuse.

Mr Foot advised that, unlike other locations, the crises that precipitated homelessness presentations in Blackpool were largely a product of social problems, rather than directly of housing shortages or housing prices. He added that, paradoxically, the easy accessibility of homes in the private rented sector and the subsequent transience of which that fuelled, led to high levels of homelessness. He noted that there was a tendency in Blackpool for tenancies to continually break down because of the poor quality of accommodation, the poor behaviour of some tenants and the expectation that there would always be somewhere else available.

The Committee was advised of the issue of ‘local connection’, which was especially relevant given the high level of transience and people coming into the town from other areas. He explained that as a result of the relatively large housing supply, Housing Options was usually able to find housing for people able to evidence a local connection. However, he noted that a significant minority of people had approached Housing Options having come into the town within the last six months, but were not eligible for full assistance as they had a connection elsewhere. Responding to further questions on the issue from Members, Mr Foot advised that anybody approaching Housing Options would have a right to a housing assessment. As part of that assessment, a consideration would be made on their local connection. However, if they did not have a local connection, but were considered a priority need, there would be a duty to provide housing for them.

Mrs Piper, Housing Options Manager, advised that if people were found to have a local connection in another area, efforts would be made to establish a reconnection with friends or family in that area. Should that not be achievable, Housing Options would contact the local authority in the area that the person had a local connection. It was considered that helping people that may have various problems to reconnect with where they were from and could potentially have a support network, was a better outcome for the individual. It was acknowledged that there were also many transience-related issues in Blackpool, so the approach to try to establish a reconnection would also help to prevent transience-related problems from increasing. Upon challenge from Members, Mrs Piper advised that Housing Options would not attempt to help people return home that were fleeing domestic abuse when it was not safe to do so. She noted that people fleeing domestic abuse would be considered to have a priority need.

Mr Foot advised the Committee that there had been an increase in homelessness in the last 18 months and upon questioning, suggested that a potential reason was due to an increase in the number of people with multiple and complex needs and especially issues of substance misuse and mental health problems. It was also considered that recent welfare reforms, including an increased use of benefits sanctions, had led to crisis levels of debt and rent arrears. Members noted that the number of households that had received formal support to prevent or relieve homelessness had increased significantly in the last year and queried the reasons for that. It was explained to Members that the high figures in 2015/2016 partly reflected better recording, but were also consistent with higher demand on the service from people in urgent need of help.

Members questioned what the impact of Selective Licensing had been upon homelessness levels and Mr Foot advised that he did not consider that it had led to an increase in homelessness in a direct way. He explained that the Selective Licensing programme was helping to stabilise communities with high levels of transience and reduce levels of anti-social behaviour leading to people being evicted from their premises, which was noted as being a factor in the high levels of homelessness in Blackpool.

The Committee discussed the challenges and areas for development in relation to homelessness and Mr Foot advised that further work between Housing Options and Children’s Services was required to improve accommodation and support for young people at risk of homelessness.  He advised that the work aimed to provide a more integrated service for young people, especially through drawing together services in a ‘Vulnerable Adolescents’ Hub, where all needs could be met in one place.

Mr Foot also advised that there was a greater requirement to work together and improve relationships with partners. He reported that voluntary agencies had an increasingly critical role in helping to support vulnerable people, but noted that it was important that a clear framework of strategy and guidance was provided so that support was coordinated and effective. He noted that working together with partners would be an increasingly important requirement due to increased pressures on the Housing Options service budget.

The Committee raised questions regarding the requirement to develop a new strategy and action plan for preventing and dealing with homelessness. Mr Foot advised that there had been a change in Central Government’s requirements to the effect that the strategy must have a greater emphasis on prevention. Responding to questions from Members, Mr Foot advised that it was expected that the strategy and action plan would be completed by the end of 2016. Members requested to be presented with further information on what was being done to prevent homelessness, and it was noted that details would be provided within the revised strategy. The Committee therefore requested to be presented with the strategy and action plan for preventing and dealing with homelessness once it had been drafted.

The Committee noted the detrimental impacts to health of being homeless and raised questions relating to the access to healthcare for homeless people. Mrs Mills advised that homeless health services had been developed and noted the development of the Bridge Project’s services in regards to the issue. She also advised that homeless people could make use of the walk-in centre and that she had not received any feedback that suggested a reluctance amongst homeless people to access the centre located on Whitegate Drive. Mrs Piper considered that whilst access to a GP may be available to homeless people, there were potential barriers as a result of the complex needs of the homeless person that could prevent their consistent access to healthcare services when needed. She noted that examples were in managing to keep appointments and remembering to attend follow-up appointments. Mrs Piper advised that the Fulfilling Lives project, which identified and provided intensive support for a caseload of up to 240 people with multiple and complex needs, helped homeless people make initial and follow-up GP appointments. The Committee requested that a report containing further information be provided regarding heath issues for homeless people, with a particular focus on their access to healthcare.

Members questioned whether an updated list of service providers and organisations that offered services to rough sleepers was available. Mrs Piper advised that a list was available and that she could circulate it to Members.

The Committee agreed:

1) To request that the strategy and action plan for preventing and dealing with homelessness be presented to the Committee, once it had been drafted

2) To request that a report containing further information be provided regarding heath issues for homeless people, with a particular focus on their access to healthcare.

3) To request that a list of service providers and organisations that offered services to rough sleepers be circulated to Members following the meeting.

Background papers: None.