Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy as recommended by the Executive.

RECOMMENDATION:  The Executive recommends that Council approve Wokingham Borough Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024.

The Council considered a report, set out at Agenda pages 59 to 108, which gave details of the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020/24.

The report, which had been approved by the Executive, stated that the Strategy had been developed under the framework of the Council’s Housing Strategy 2019/24 which identified four key themes: meeting need, supporting residents, improving quality and enhancing lives. Within that context the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy contained four key priorities:

·                early intervention and prevention;

·                working towards ending rough sleeping and tackling hidden homelessness;

·                building more affordable homes;

·                supporting our vulnerable residents.

The strategy had been subject to extensive consultation amongst Members, Officers, Town and Parish Councils, external partners and Homes England. It was also publicised through a press release and social media.

The strategy included a number of actions aimed at addressing the four key priorities, including:

·                supporting the development of a night shelter in the Borough;

·                working with long-term rough sleepers;

·                assessing the extent of hidden homelessness in the Borough;

·                reducing the use of emergency and temporary accommodation.

It was proposed by John Kaiser and seconded by Charles Margetts that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Stratgey 2020/24 be approved.

On being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020/24 be approved.

That Wokingham Borough Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 be recommended to Council for approval.

The Executive considered a report setting out the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2020-2024.

The Executive Member for Finance and Housing introduced the report.

Councillor Haitham Taylor expressed concern that referrals to Berkshire Women’s Aid in Q1 2019/20, had increased, and questioned whether the Strategy would also refer to those fleeing coercive domestic abuse and also male victims of domestic abuse.  Councillor Kaiser commented that domestic abuse victims were a top priority.

In response to a query from Councillor Jorgensen regarding those who became homeless as a result of substance abuse, Councillor Kaiser commented that the Council would work with the Police and other relevant agencies.

RESOLVED: That Wokingham Borough Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 be recommended to Council for approval.