Agenda item

The Committee were provided with an overview of the implementation of the Housing Strategy Action Plan, as approved by Cabinet in March 2017, specifically in relation to Theme 4, Homelessness and Housing Need, and Theme 5 Special Needs and Vulnerable Groups.

The Service Lead, Strategic Housing Services detailed the pressures facing the service, which included an increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation from 74 in 2013/14 to 378 in 2017/18, which represented an increase of 510% within a four year period. There remained over 2,500 applicants on the Housing Register despite only around 300-400 social housing allocations being made each year. It was brought to Members attention that affordability of the private rented sector was a major issue facing the Borough and the increase in homelessness could be directly attributed to an increase in house prices and private sector rent increases. Many households who were unable to access home ownership or social housing were being accommodated in the growing private rented sector.  In addition, the private rented market in Slough continued to experience increasing pressures from London/outside Boroughs.

The Committee were informed that a number of measures had been introduced to address the issue of homelessness, which included the introduction of a Slough Living Rent (SLR) which recognised the situation of many of the Borough’s working residents who could not afford market rents and did not qualify for the Council’s Housing Register. The SLR provided an opportunity for intermediate-type housing solutions for these residents as the SLR rates were linked to actual household incomes and not market rental rates.

A Member requested further details regarding the impact of households being placed in the Borough from London and other neighbouring authorities. It was explained that during the period September 2016 to August 2017, a total of 178 households were placed in the Borough’s private sector rental market. The impact on the Council only arose once those tenancies came to an end and households presented themselves as homeless to the Council, who then had a statutory duty to consider their housing needs as they were now living within the Borough. 

Members were informed that the Council was in the process of developing a Homelessness Strategy, which would include prevention measures in partnership with clients, landlords, the voluntary sector and other partner agencies. In recognising that the Council did not have all the resources to tackle the issue, a Slough Homelessness Forum had been established to ensure regular dialogue was maintained with local charities.

In response to alleviating pressures on temporary accommodation and Bed and Breakfast provision, the Council had set up a Subsidiary Housing Company to acquire homes. James Elliman Homes was set up in 2017 and the Company had purchased the existing temporary accommodation schemes from the Council at Pendeen Court and High Street, Langley. The aim was to alleviate the current financial burdens on the Council by using a full cost recovery model for providing the accommodation and to improve the quality and security of existing accommodation. It was noted that the 29 accommodation units at Pendeen Court were due to be refurbished in summer 2018. Furthermore, the acquisition of affordable housing on private development sites was being progressed, with 21 units on Stoke Road being purchased for this purpose. 

Councillor Strutton, speaking under Rule 30, expressed disappointment that the concept of Modular Homes had not been explored further. The Service Lead, Strategy Housing Services stated that the issue would be considered when discussions took place with regard to Temporary Accommodation provisions.

Details regarding the number of individuals re-housed in the Slough area due to Domestic Violence were requested and it was agreed that the information would be circulated to the Committee.

Resolved – That the escalating homelessness situation and the interventions being made to help reduce the numbers of homeless households in the borough; whilst assisting Adult Social Care and Slough Children Services Trust in line with the Council’s Manifesto and relevant strategies and plans be noted.