Concerns about ‘suitable homes’ for care leavers

Concerns have been raised about the lack of “suitable homes” for care leavers as part of a plan aiming to prevent youth homelessness in Sunderland.

It came as Sunderland City Council’s Corporate Parenting Board discussed a report outlining the city’s housing offer for young people.

The Homelessness Reduction Act (2018) – which came into force in April – places a legal duty on councils to provide support to all eligible applicants, rather than those in “priority need”.

Currently, care leavers who are within 56 days of their 18th birthday will be referred to the council’s housing team by children’s services provider Together for Children in line with the new law.

A personalised housing plan (PHP) will also be drawn up outlining the young person’s housing needs with the local authority working with landlords and partners in support.

As the council doesn’t have it’s own homelessness strategy for young people and care leavers, the board heard, a new plan will be developed by next year.

Coun Barbara McClennan, speaking at Sunderland Civic Centre, asked housing officers whether there was enough “suitable housing stock” available.

“One of the things that concerns me is we will have a lot of young people isolated and vulnerable in properties that are not suitable for them. Our infrastructure is not there,” she said.

The Government’s ‘Homeless Advice Service Team’ will visit officers from housing and Together for Children this month to give advice and make recommendations.

This will include advice on policy in the context of the new homelessness law, current practice and any OFSTED reccomendations.

The council aim to complete their new homelessness prevention strategy by January 2019, a report adds.