The Executive Director of Housing has submitted a report to present the findings of the homelessness review and strategy evidence base that will inform the drafting of the new Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and to seek approval for the launch of a visioning consultation.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the Homelessness Review and Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Evidence base; 

2.    Approve the launch of a visioning consultation to collect views on the review and evidence base and approve the draft vision and emerging priorities; and

3.    Note the strategy development process and timeline described in the report.

Cllr Hayes left the meeting at this point.

The Executive Director of Housing had submitted a report to present the findings of the homelessness review and strategy evidence base that will inform the drafting of the new Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and to seek approval for the launch of a visioning consultation.

Cllr Diko Blackings, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, Housing Security and Housing the Homeless, introduced the report which set out, among other things, the considerable achievements under the current strategy notwithstanding the challenges of the previous year. The proposals for the new strategy were bold and innovative.

Richard Wood, Strategy and Service Development Manager, emphasised that this was just the first stage in what would be a long process which would take place over the next year or so.

The Chair thanked officers for this important strand of work and in particular for the additional work occasioned by the pandemic.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approve the Homelessness Review and Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Evidence base; 

2.    Approve the launch of a visioning consultation to collect views on the review and evidence base and approve the draft vision and emerging priorities; and

3.    Note the strategy development process and timeline described in the report.