Extra council cash to help homeless

CIVIC chiefs in Hinckley have been given more than £100,000 to expand services for rough sleepers.

The money comes following new legislation - the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 - which puts more onus on local authorities to keep people off the streets.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has received the highest amount of Government cash out of all the Leicestershire county districts. Only Leicester city has been given more.

A report to councillors said: “The number of homelessness applications and the need for indepth casework will increase substantially. The housing options team will need to offer detailed face-to-face interviews with a greater number of applicants, including those who are facing homelessness longer into the future, and also to include those people where currently there is no duty to assist them, for example, single people.

“It is predicted nationwide that homelessness presentations will increase by up to 50%. While the council’s housing options team are already proactive in preventing homelessness, the Act will further increase this work, with earlier interventions needed and more in-depth help needed to support families and single people who may be at risk of homelessness irrespective of whether they will be in priority need or have a local connection to Hinckley and Bosworth.”

As well as increased responsibilities to help people avoid becoming homeless within 56 days - a rise from the previous 28 days - the council will also be expected to place greater focus on trying to organise suitable accommodation.

This is seen as a particular challenge given the lack of affordable housing options in the borough and the steep rents demanded by private sector landlords which far outstrip housing allowances.

To help cover the extra duties the authority has been awarded £101,627 for in 2017/18 and £108,060 in 2018/19.

There will also be a ‘new burdens grant’ of £16,451 to help with the expenditure expected from more in depth documentation and casework as well as IT needs.

As well as councils being asked to step up their efforts other public services are being called on to be more proactive in referring those who have no home or at risk of becoming homeless.

This will mean putting effective referral arrangements in place and ensuring the agencies, schools, GPs, hospitals and the police for example, are aware of the requirement.

Currently the borough council has six cases where a homelessness declaration has been taken and a decision is pending while enquiries are made.

There are 19 cases where the authority have accepted a full duty under the homelessness legislation. Of these cases there are five single applicants in B&B, eight families in a specific family hostel and 12 where they have made their own arrangements with friends and family.

There are 36 cases open which are being case managed in order to prevent homelessness or to relieve it.

The council is not aware of any rough sleepers at the present time.