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Issue - meetings
Targeted Funding to Reduce Rough Sleeping
Meeting: 02/07/2018 - Cabinet (Item 92)
92 Targeted Funding to Reduce Rough Sleeping
Minutes:
Michael Courts, Housing Policy and Performance Officer presented a report on the Targeted Funding to Reduce Rough Sleeping bid, to advise Cabinet of a successful bid, in partnership with Eastbourne / Lewes Councils, for additional funding to reduce rough sleeping and the proposed programme of activities and mobilisation timetable.
Between 2012 and 2017 the number of people estimated to be sleeping rough in East Sussex on a typical night has increased by 370% from 19 to 90. In 2017, 81 out of the 90 estimated rough sleepers were found in either Eastbourne or Hastings, with the numbers being split evenly across the two areas.
In April 2018 the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government
(MHCLG) announced additional funding to tackle rough sleeping. Hastings and Eastbourne / Lewes Councils were invited to develop initiatives which will have an immediate impact on reducing the number of rough sleepers before the winter of 2018/19.
The proposal approved by the MHCLG addresses the lack of temporary accommodation and long term housing solutions which are accessible to rough sleepers locally. It also provides an opportunity to tailor and co-ordinate service delivery by statutory partners to meet the complex needs of this group and expand existing activities to prevent rough sleeping. Moreover, the funding will enable investment in infrastructure to improve information sharing across county networks to improve levels of engagement with rough sleepers.
The proposed accommodation pathway enhances the existing service provision in both Hastings and Eastbourne. The existing network of services working with rough sleepers will act as gateways to the Assessment Centre, which will provide a stable environment for the Multi-disciplinary team to support clients across the accommodation pathway, providing direct, co-ordinated access to statutory services.
Councillor Batsford proposed approval of the motion, seconded by Councillor Lee.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
1. To authorise the expenditure of funding awarded to Hastings and Eastbourne/Lewes Council’s as detailed in the report to deliver a programme of services commissioned under the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Governments (MHCLG) Targeted Funding to Reduce Rough Sleeping during 2018/19.
2. To delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment and the Assistant Director Financial Services and Revenues, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing and Leisure Services, to finalise arrangements for the mobilisation of the projects.
The reason for these recommendations was:
Rough sleeping continues to rapidly increase across the county, particularly in urban, coastal areas. Hastings and Eastbourne / Lewes Councils – in partnership with Rother and Wealden District Councils – have been awarded with funding as detailed in the report during 2018/19 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to significantly reduce rough sleeping this coming winter.
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