Report published 15.14 pm 22/10/24.

The Head of Housing and Communities apologised for the lateness of the report which had been tabled.  She introduced the report which provided an update on the current performance in relation to Temporary Accommodation (TA), the current budget position, and current controls in place to manage the TA budget.  She referred to the Statutory TA placements set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report.

The Chair invited questions from Members, and points raised included:

·         Important to note and thank the Housing Team for their good work;

·         why was homelessness rising?;

·         encouraged by how quickly the Council acquired properties, and wondered how much money would the Council save as a result?;

·         praised the outstanding work of the housing team to reduce homelessness across the borough;

·         how many residents could be housed at Johnson House, Sittingbourne and Bridge House, Sheerness?;

·         needed to bear in mind the impact the two-month holiday camp closures during January to February 2025 on the Isle of Sheppey would have on the homeless figures;

·         Southern Housing had advised that 68 of the 78 voids in Kent were in Swale;

·         certain that residents were thankful for the amazing work carried out by the Council’s housing team;

·         were any new housing association properties being built?; and

·         stressed the importance of registered housing providers meeting with developers prior to building properties, to ensure they were built to the high standard housing associations and others expected.

In response, the Head of Housing and Communities considered that homelessness was increasing partly due to difficulties accessing the private rented sector and also the current cost-of-living crisis.  She said it did not help that many residents requiring band A and B properties had severe medical needs to consider, which reduced their housing options.  The Head of Housing and Communities hoped that details of the savings made by the Council from acquiring their own properties would be provided in a future update report.  She reported that the final agreements for Johnson House and Bridge House were due to be signed and she would update Members on the number of residents they could take.

With regard to the holiday camp closures, the Head of Housing and Communities advised that the housing team were working with those that would be affected early to reduce the impact on the service.   She said that she was aware that Housing Associations were investing in their existing housing stock rather than new developments due to viability and capacity challenges within the construction industry. 

In concluding, the Head of Housing and Communities apologised that the baseline figures were not available for this meeting.  She referred to the Risks and Issues in paragraph 2.8 of the report and explained that it was important to be aware that 1% of people in the South-East of England were at least two payments behind with their mortgages and officers were monitoring the situation.  She also raised concern about the impact the potential loss of the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) funding would have on The Quays, Sittingbourne and said officers were working closely with the operators of that site.

Councillor Tom Nundy moved the following motion:  That the Housing Team be thanked for their hard work in reducing homelessness across Swale.  This was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)      That the Performance report and controls in place to manage the TA budget be noted.

(2)      That the Housing Team be thanked for their hard work in reducing homelessness across Swale.