Agenda item - Homelessness Policy Petition Recommendations

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Agenda item

Homelessness Policy Petition Recommendations

Report of Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

Decision:

(1)            That it be agreed that inspection outcomes and satisfaction surveys are reported to Committee twice a year.

 

(2)            As a matter of urgency, that Housing and New Homes committee prioritise providing its own emergency accommodation, including the option of non-traditional buildings, through:

 

a) the estate regeneration board

b) A wholly owned housing company

 

(3)      That the council relate to the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) as they would a “recognised group”/ partner organisation for the purposes of joint working, in order to improve living conditions and tenant experience alongside other relevant parties

 

(4)      That a report be made, as a matter of urgency, to a future housing and New Homes Committee examining the adequacy of the safeguards in existing emergency accommodation tenancy management, particularly those that protect tenants from revenge evictions, or from the eviction of whistleblowers, and considers information back from ETHRAG.

 

Minutes:

38.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture which explained that following a petition submitted to full Council by Daniel Harris, the Council and Housing & New Homes Committee were requested to consider a range of recommendations regarding temporary accommodation. The recommendations had been considered and the findings set out in the report. The report was presented by the Head of Temporary Accommodation and Allocations who explained that amendments to the previous report were contained in I) a, b, c, and d on pages 48 and 49 of the agenda. 

 

38.2   Councillor Mears acknowledged the work being undertaken with ETHRAG and stressed that it was vitally important to get feedback from residents who used facilities. 

 

38.3   Councillor Gibson referred to I) section a) on page 48 of the agenda which stated that ETHRAG comments were awaited.  He understood that they had been provided.  

 

38.4   The Chair explained that the paper from ETHRAG was not provided in time to meet print deadlines.  However, members had now received copies. 

 

38.5   Councillor Gibson stated that he would like to have the opportunity to read the comments.  He suggested that there should be a report to the next meeting, to which ETHRAG be invited to present their comments.

 

38.6   Councillor Gibson set out an amendment to the recommendations as follows:

 

          That where the recommendations are listed in the policy, under point 2, that the following be added:

 

2.2 As a matter of urgency, that Housing and New Homes committee prioritise providing its own emergency accommodation, including the option of non-traditional buildings, through:

a) the estate regeneration board

b) A wholly owned housing company

 

2.3 That the council relate to the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) as they would a “recognised group”/ partner organisation for the purposes of joint working, in order to improve living conditions and tenant experience alongside other relevant parties

 

2.4 That a report be made, as a matter of urgency, to a future housing and New Homes examining the adequacy of the safeguards in existing emergency accommodation tenancy management, particularly those that protect tenants from revenge evictions, or from the eviction of whistleblowers.’

 

38.7    The above amendment was seconded by Councillor Druitt. 

 

38.8    Councillor Gibson stated that he was concerned to hear of cases where residents in emergency accommodation had spoken to the media and were evicted within a week or so.                                                                                                          

 

38.9    Councillor Moonan congratulated Daniel Harris for starting the ETHRAG group and was pleased to see the matter back for discussion. The ETHRAG campaign was working and improvements were being made. She supported the amendment barring them being an official residents’ group as they are not the council’s official tenants.

 

38.10  Councillor Moonan stated that she and Councillor Hill were talking to residents. There was a need to carry out a survey to be as inclusive as possible.   Monthly inspections were happening and she would welcome a report on that.  She supported the amendment which consolidated the work.  The council would do what it could with regard to emergency accommodation.  It was not acceptable for people to be in temporary accommodation long term.  Meanwhile, the council was bringing forward ideas to help that situation including the proposal to build 1000 new homes. 

 

38.11  Councillor Mears stated that she would like the report to be deferred to the next meeting as she wanted to have the opportunity to look at all the information received. 

 

38.12  The Chair stressed that it was important to talk with ETHRAG.  When the group was properly constituted it could move forward.  If the matter was deferred it would hold up this work. 

 

38.13  Councillor Gibson stated that he was anxious to vote on the amendments to get action now.  He requested feed back to a future meeting. He would very much like to have a presentation from ETHRAG in the future. He stressed that the council needed to do its utmost to ensure the lives of people who were vulnerable were supported.

 

38.14  Members voted on the amendments and that information from ETHRAG should be considered.  This was unanimously agreed.

 

38.15  RESOLVED:-

 

(1)            That it be agreed that inspection outcomes and satisfaction surveys are reported to Committee twice a year.

 

(2)            As a matter of urgency, that Housing and New Homes committee prioritise providing its own emergency accommodation, including the option of non-traditional buildings, through:

 

a) the estate regeneration board

b) A wholly owned housing company

 

(3)      That the council relate to the Emergency and Temporary Housing Residents Action Group (ETHRAG) as they would a “recognised group”/ partner organisation for the purposes of joint working, in order to improve living conditions and tenant experience alongside other relevant parties

 

(4)      That a report be made, as a matter of urgency, to a future housing and New Homes Committee examining the adequacy of the safeguards in existing emergency accommodation tenancy management, particularly those that protect tenants from revenge evictions, or from the eviction of whistleblowers, and considers information back from ETHRAG.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 


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