Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Strategic Director People and Communities.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services, Councillor Asvachin, presented the report which was taken as read.

The Portfolio Holder, Senior Housing Needs Team Lead, Head of Service – Housing and Strategic Director for People and Communities responded to questions from Members in the following terms:

·         targets to end rough sleeping were aspirational and it could be more realistic to end rough sleeping as a norm;

·         terms of reference for a mid-term policy review, later in the year, were being written;

·         the Howell Road pods were operational with two of the four successfully occupied albeit with some repairs required;

·         the portfolio holder was working with St Petrock’s and the methodology for the count was on the agenda;

·         the date of the count was countywide and agreed with partners and reassurance was given over accuracy as the team carried out weekly counts and monthly returns to Government with an average of 13 reported at present;

·         officers had carried out extensive work responding to the consultation and working with the LGA on a lobbying piece of work, which had included briefings for local MPs.  There was a consistent message across the country;

·         the number of people living in campervans were unknown at present but would be obtained;

·         the number of people who had approached the Council to make homelessness applications was 2023/24 1053, 2024/25 1079;

·         it was difficult to say if attrition rates had an impact;

·         trend data would be provided in future;

·         the outreach team were commissioned to reach out to those sleeping in vehicles;

·         the need for toilets overnight would be noted in the review of services;

·         the council worked with Public Health and Devon County Council at a strategic level regarding drug use and were operationally co-located with a range of other services.  Identification of those at risk was undertaken on a weekly basis.  There was a high number of drug-related deaths, but the majority were housed;

·         the outreach team were trained and able to respond to those experiencing overdose;

·         the impact of interventions would be brought to the portfolio Holder; and

·         individuals may have a range of types of contact with the Council, but outreach was face to face.