Agenda item

Housing Assessments

Minutes:

Mark Billings, Housing Manager presented the report detailing the homelessness assessments process at the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Mark Billings, Housing Manager presented the report detailing the homelessness assessments process at the London Borough of Hillingdon.

 

A summary of the key points raised are detailed below.

 

It was reported that housing authorities had a duty to carry out assessments in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act in all cases where an eligible applicant was threatened with homelessness or was actually homeless. Further, there was a duty to provide temporary accommodation during the relief duty if the client fell into a reasonable preference category. The Council had an online portal to register for assistance if a person was at risk of homelessness and once the form had been completed it would be allocated to the Council’s housing advisors. There had been focus on trying to avoid people slipping through the net. There were a range of agencies that the Council often sign posted referrals too including Credit Union, Citizens Advice, P3 and Trinity.

 

Mr Billings informed the Committee that if a client approached the homelessness service due to domestic violence, the client would be assessed using the usual HRA assessments process.  The Council collaborated with other councils in relation to domestic violence and was signed up to reciprocal agreements with other West London boroughs and on pan London basis. If refuge placements needed to be provided, this would be handled via the national domestic violence helpline to ensure a safe and suitable placement. Overall, the Council had dedicated staff for dealing with domestic abuse and a comprehensive strategy in place.

 

Hillingdon as a whole was better at identifying rough sleepers. A Rough Sleeping Initiative had been introduced which includes regular searches at Heathrow Airport and in other parts of the Borough to  identify homeless people and try to help them. Since the introduction of the project 25 rough sleepers had been taken off the streets. The project was worth around £400k but produced a lot of positive results.

 

Members commented that this was a useful and detailed report. Members were delighted to see domestic violence being mentioned, monitored and taken seriously.

 

During Members questions, it was noted that London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was the home to a majority of rough sleepers. Members queried whether the Council was taking any action to put any action on LHR for allowing this. It was reported that LHR was like its own village and there were roughly 40 -50 rough sleepers every night. This had been fedback to LHR and there had been some discussions. Mr Billings confirmed that they were looking at trends and apply pressure to Heathrow.

 

It was noted that the police’s approach was to leave the rough sleepers unless they were being disruptive. It was further noted that many rough sleepers were not residents of Hillingdon. However, Mr Billings explained that if it was possible, the outreach team would look into reconnecting the non-resident rough sleepers to their local areas. The initiative had only been introduced in early September 2018 and it was just getting started.

 

Members considered housing 25 rough sleepers was amazing, however queried whether the forecast of numbers was expected to increase. Mr Billings confirmed that it depended on individual circumstances, as some rough sleepers did not want to be homed. Work was being undertaken by the Salvation Army.

 

Members questioned the sustainability of the intervention project. It was confirmed that with the current resourcing level, it was sustainable, spending was provided form central government. Even when the funding stopped there was still an expectation for the service to be delivered in line with HRA.

 

It was noted that Trinity and Heathrow Travel Care had both been fantastic services.

 

Members raised concerns about CAB that were not always helpful in signposting people. Members questioned whether more could be done as CABs had a duty of care towards people and whether this could be challenged. Mr Billings confirmed that this had been a great year for partnership working.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1)    Thanked officers for the comprehensive detailed report.

2)    Noted and welcomed the useful report, particularly in reference to domestic violence.

 

 

Supporting documents: