Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillor Mrs Jones who was substituted by Councillor bateman and from Councillor Jessop who was substituted by Councillor Burgess.

All members are required to disclose at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter, any disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest in any item(s) being considered at this meeting.

There were none

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting on 19 January 2022 be signed as a true and correct record.

(NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Monday 7 March 2022. The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes)

There were none

(NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on Monday 7^th March 2022)

There were none

To request that the Housing Board considers the contents of the draft Homelessness Review and draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022–2027 and gives approval to undertake a public consultation exercise.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Housing regarding the Hoemlessness Review and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

Members were advised that a further report would be brought to Board following the public consultation.

Members were pleased to see that internet access would be made available in the hostels which will be really useful for home schooling.

Members were advised that the previous review had been carried out in house and the document written by the then Head of Housing. It was necessary to start from scratch so a consultant had compiled the new document and it bore no relation to the previous version; therefore it would be very difficult to identify changes. The next review in 5 years time will follow the same format so that comparisons can be made.

Officers advised that the RAPS accommodation should only be regarded as a temporary solution for maybe up to 12 months before being converted to a settled tenancy. There would always be a need for that type of accommodation but it is being reviewed currently through an options appraisal, and there was a possibility that a private leasing scheme could be considered.

Officers clarified that it is only Armed Forces with additional care needs that are included on the waiting list.

In answer to a Members question, officers advised that the new  self help system being web based would not cause barriers to those who are either homeless or in hostels. The majority of customers access their benefits, Universal Credit etc information  online through their phones, and find it more convenient as it is then available 24 hours a day. This pack will be regularly updated in line with legislation.

Officers advised that GDPR does not impede the sharing of information between agencies.

Members wished to pass on their thanks and congratulations to the Head of Housing and her team for all the work they have achieved especially regarding the Pods and the “Everyone In” scheme. They recognised that some team members will have experienced abuse but it hasn’t prevented high levels of service being achieved.

In answer to a Members question, the Head of Housing sought to reassure that in cases of eviction the team tried to prevent escalation by starting move on work as soon as the notice is given and actively looking to help, even paying arrears in some case, to minimise the possibility of bailiffs and homelessness.

A Member hoped that the 3-year building programme for 100 houses would help alleviate the situation.

Members were happy to see that the housing team works closely with the Citizens Advice Bureau, which is vital to support tenants.

A member wished to acknowledge how successful the Head of Housing had been at capturing the available funding which enabled Gosport to do more than others.

RESOLVED: That the Board:

i)              Noted the findings from a Homelessness Review

ii)             Approved the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

iii)           Gave approval to undertake a public consultation exercise.