Agenda item

A report providing Overview & Scrutiny Members with an update to the GMCA on the current work and progress made on ending the need for rough sleeping in Greater Manchester.

The Mayor provided Members with an update on the current work and progress made on ending the need for rough sleeping in Greater Manchester.

It was feedback to Members that official figures of rough sleepers in GM for November 2018 were 241. Official figures were due out later this month, however counts carried out by the GM Districts for September gave a figure of 195. It was noted that confirmation of these figures by Government counts will represent a second consecutive year of numbers falling following a period of significant rise. Bed Every Night was credited with this change in trend, with 358 individuals currently using this facility. It was also stated that around one third of those using the facility move on to a better more permanent accommodation.

Members were updated that following additional support from NHS funding and from the Ministry of Justice and Community Rehabilitation Company, Bed Every Night will move up to phase 2, increasing capacity to 401 spaces. This represents GM being much better prepared for this winter. It was highlighted that the NHS were working to provide more support within shelters such as mental health provision. For phase 2 of Bed Every Night, there was an aspiration to also improve the quality of support provided with more provisions such as for women only, couples and dogs.

The Mayor reiterated his stance that it shouldn’t be allowed that people can be left to sleep on the streets with no provision available to them.  The Bed Every Night scheme was stated as being a proven better use of public money rather than seeing consequence overtake planning in GM. It was highlighted that CRISIS had estimated The cost of providing 1 bed for a year to be £11,000, compared to the cost on public resources of not providing a bed given as £20,000 per year in terms of health/police resources. 

It was noted that Housing First which was noted as a Government pilot with 3 years funding providing accommodation and offers a range of additional support, was fully rolling out across districts. Members were updated that 89 individuals have been assessed as eligible, (mainly rough sleepers with a range of complex needs) with 34 now accommodated . It was noted that Housing First and Bed Every Night together demonstrating a more coherent response to this crisis.

Following Member comments that there was a lack of Member representation over homelessness, the Mayor highlighted that councillor involvement would always be greatly appreciated. The ongoing work tackling rough sleeping of Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett was highlighted, and the Committee heard that there were periodic meetings with homeless needs, and the homelessness programme board which Councillors attend. 

The challenges to acceptance of support by rough sleepers was discussed by the Committee with personal safety fears and in some cases, acceptance of life choices being highlighted as barriers.  It was stated that accommodation provision had been designed to be physically safe with through-the-night supervision, and where possible, the provision of single room, or single sex areas whilst providing for those with complex needs. The challenge of overcoming barriers to what people would deem psychologically safe was highlighted. It was noted that staff at the centres have received training in dealing with those with trauma as some may not self present or may exhibit challenging behaviours. It was stated that there was large amount of ongoing work regarding temporary accommodation in general in the GM districts.

A Member gave positive feedback from a Making Spaces shelter provision which had made a difference to a number of individuals in this district.  The Mayor made the point that offering a ‘settled’ bed was crucial to giving individuals a platform to improve circumstances and move on to a more positive place. He also highlighted the importance of offering this facility as a sustained resource rather than in response to sustained cold weather.

It was stated that the availability of move-on, particularly for single males was limited.  The ability to help people move through and find other accommodation from Bed Every Night was noted as being crucial to maintain availability of beds. It was reaffirmed that the Scheme was meant to be an emergency provision and that the day-1 goal was for users to be in a position to move to a more long term solution.  It was noted that there was also a high demand on temporary and supported accommodation.  It was clarified that some individuals only require a short transitionary period of support before returning to former temporary or supported or social housing.

Members acknowledged the success of Bed Every Night, which had been a strong team effort of many partners. The challenge of the lack of social housing was stated with a need to put pressure on central government for funding to replenish stocks of social housing.  It was stated that the Mayor and the City Mayor were intended to develop a Homelessness Prevention strategy which takes a 10 year view, and was based on building more units for social rent across all 10 districts.  The commitment made as part of the GMSF housing vision to build 50 000 homes, within which 30,000 being for social rent was highlighted. The Mayor noted that finding a delivery mechanism for both funding and legal powers to deliver would be key.

RESOLVED/-

That the report be noted and the Committee’s comments be taken into account with this ongoing work.