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Subject: |
Deputations |
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Date of Meeting: |
16 September 2020 |
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Report of: |
Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law |
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Contact Officer: |
Name: |
Shaun Hughes |
Tel: |
01273 293059 |
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E-mail: |
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Wards Affected: |
All |
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DEPUTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Notification of one Deputation has been received. The spokesperson is entitled to speak for 5 minutes.
(1) Emergency Accommodation
Spokesperson: Rebecca Rieley
Supported by:
M. Coll
A. Brining
S. Gale
R. Rieley
J. Rogers
Topic: Emergency Accommodation
Presenters: Rebecca Rieley (Systems Change Lead, Fulfilling Lives South East Partnership), Martin Coll (Team Manager, Justlife)
Committee: Housing Committee, 16 September 2020
Deputation Summary
Introduction
This charter has been developed to ensure a reasonable standard of accommodation is provided to homeless households who have to spend time in emergency accommodation. This document sets out expectations, aspirations and commitments to achieve this and has been developed in collaboration with a number of organisations. We want to see the Charter adopted by Brighton & Hove City Council and emergency accommodation providers who house Brighton and Hove residents experiencing homelessness, and for this Charter to be embedded into provider contracts.
Context: Emergency accommodation is accommodation used by Brighton & Hove City Council to house people who they have a legal duty to house, or while they investigate that legal duty, under the Housing or Care Acts. It is part of the broader temporary accommodation used in the city but is predominantly large units of between 12 and 60 rooms, many with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
We recognise that providing accommodation to homeless people can present significant challenges given the vulnerability often experienced and the disruption to their lives that homelessness brings. We are keen therefore to ensure that the accommodation and support provided in Brighton & Hove to homeless households meet reasonable standards to ensure the best outcomes for people.
It is recognised that a significant proportion of people placed in emergency accommodation will have multiple and complex needs and as a result will require additional support. Multiple and complex needs is defined by the Public Health Joint Strategic Needs Assessment steering group (‘JSNA’) as people aged 16+ experiencing combinations of housing issues/homelessness, substance misuse, offending, mental health and domestic abuse issues, with an overarching focus on complex trauma and inequalities.
Why now:We feel this Charter complements the current vast developments in the City to prevent rough sleeping and end homelessness in Brighton & Hove.
Vision: We want emergency accommodation placements to be seen as an opportunity to support somebody away from homelessness and towards long-term accommodation, and access to the support they identify and need. The Local Authority should work in collaboration with the support services and emergency accommodation providers to keep peoples stay in emergency accommodation to a minimum, ensuring they are as safe and healthy as possible.
Support for this Charter: Fulfilling Lives and Justlife have developed this Charter following their work with hundreds of people placed in emergency accommodation over the past 7 years. We hope the Local Authority, accommodation providers and other third sector organisations will support this Charter. The Charter also has broad support from the Temporary Accommodation Action Group members.
Appendix: Proposed Brighton & Hove Emergency Accommodation Charter.