Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a presentation which gave background information on the Rough Sleeper Initiative which had been created in March, 2018 to identify and put in place actions to remove barriers and end rough sleeping in England.

7.2

In attendance for this item were Rosie Sheldon (Rehousing Service Manager) and Councillor Jim Steinke (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety).

7.3

In giving the presentation, Rosie Sheldon stated that the aim was to half the number of rough sleepers by 2022 and eradicate all rough sleeping by 2027.  She added that a dedicated team of officers had been established to give support to rough sleepers by helping them overcome barriers such as debt, health issues, release from prison and discharge from hospital, with the overall aim of moving them into more settled accommodation and offer continued support to ensure sustainability even after being accommodated. Government funding had been made available to provide 12 emergency bed spaces and then carry out next day homeless assessments to try and plan successful moves into suitable accommodation.  Future development was to increase accommodation quota; establish a Street Outreach Nurse, as had been set up and proved successful in Nottingham; provide a night shelter at St. Wilfrid’s Centre under the “Safe Space” project; employ an In reach Prison Worker and also a Women’s Health Worker.

7.4

Councillor Jim Steinke added that a civilised city was one that knew how to treat and look after the homeless.  City Council officers go out at 6.00 a.m. each morning checking that those sleeping in doorways were alright.

7.5

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                     One major challenge to the Team was that a number of rough sleepers already have accommodation but choose to live on the streets for a number of reasons, some might feel bullied or threatened where they live; family breakdowns; complex needs; those that are vulnerable etc.

·                     Every case had not been successful, with some still returning to the streets, and the accommodation available was not a “one size fits all” scenario and accommodation wasbeing tailored to fit individuals.

·                     Funding had been received for the Street Outreach Nurse and Prison Worker and the scoping works for these posts was being developed.

·                     Currently there wasn’t a lot of detail regarding the Women’s Health Worker and the Team was still learning from other local authorities.  Although the ratio for the number of men versus women who were homeless favoured men, it was stated that women tend to be exploited in the home but this did not necessarily mean they were living on the streets as a result of this.

·                     Funding from the NHS would pay the nurse’s salary and provide premises for clinics to be set up and also the NHS has the knowledge of which areas of the city were the most in need of assistance.

·                     It was acknowledged that it was an ambitious target to eradicate rough sleepers by 2027 and progress would be reviewed annually.

7.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       notes the presentation and answers to the questions raised; and

(b)       thanks Rosie Sheldon and Councillor Jim Steinke for their attendance.