Purpose

This
report seeks approval to pilot a new scheme to enhance the options
available to prevent homelessness, where an applicant is seeking
housing assistance from the Council where their parents are
unwilling/unable to continue to accommodate.

Decision

RESOLVED –
 
1.    
That up to £30,000 from the Homelessness
Prevention Fund be used to pilot a family incentive scheme for 12
months to increase homelessness prevention and reduce the number of
homeless applicants requiring temporary accommodation be
approved.
 
2.    
That the Head of Housing, Health and Environment, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning be
given delegated authority to extend the Family Incentive Scheme
beyond the initial 12 month pilot, and to increase the usage of
Homelessness Prevention Grant to fund the scheme as necessary be
approved.

Reasons for the decision

The
piloting of the family incentive scheme would enable further
positive prevention opportunities which would increase the Housing
Teams positive prevention outcomes.  In
addition, through positive prevention, fewer applicants would
require temporary accommodation at the Council’s expense. The
net savings on return offers a great spent to save opportunity and
aligns with the priorities of the Council’s Housing,
Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy.

Alternative options considered

Do
nothing – Not implementing the scheme would mean the Housing
Options Team would continue to support applicants who approach the
Council where family are unwilling/unable to accommodate using
traditional housing options.