Cabinet, at its meeting on 12 March 2025, will consider a report from the Deputy Chief Executive – City and Citizens, seeking approval for the Allocation of Preventing Homelessness Budget 2025/26

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Director of Housing and Francesca Barr, Senior Rough Sleeping Officer will present the report and answer questions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Francesca Barr, Senior Rough Sleeping Officer, Ossi Mosley, Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager, and Richard Wood, Housing Strategy and Needs Manager, were present to respond to questions from the Committee.  

Councillor Smith summarised the report and informed the Committee that the Housing Needs Team has been nominated for a local government award, offering her congratulations. The Committee heard a summary of the report which outlined the non-statutory work that the Council is choosing to invest in to support the goal of nobody in Oxford sleeping rough. To this end, over £1.7m has been allocated to support organisations working with rough sleepers and to boost housing first work. Councillor Smith also explained that the number of those on the streets is remaining stable, however many have been homeless for too long, demonstrating that current solutions are not sufficient. The Committee understood that more focus is required on long-term, permanent, and settled accommodation with considerations of security and support for maintaining tenancies.  

The Chair thanked the officers and Councillor Smith, offering her congratulations.  

The Senior Rough Sleeping Officer provided additional context to the Committee, explaining that the preventing homeless budget is the Council’s main means to help alleviate and manage rough sleeping in Oxford. The Committee heard that the Council also receives additional grant funding form central government to enable services for single persons experiencing homelessness and that all actions are designed to align with current strategic objectives. The Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager informed that Committee that last week the government published its annual information on the numbers of rough sleepers which showed national increases, but also a decrease of 11% in Oxford compared to the previous year. It was noted that whilst progress is being made, the number must reduce further despite challenges including the high demands for accommodation and the lack of affordable accommodation to transition to, a contextual matter especially relevant to Oxford. Finally, the Senior Rough Sleeping Officer noted that the challenges will create difficult decisions in the next financial year; rising service delivery costs will need to be met. A selection of the recommendations to changes in service funding from the report were summarised.  

The Chair invited the Committee to ask questions.  

Councillor Qayyum referred to appendix 2 and sought clarification on the costs noted for normalising immigration status. The Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager explained that this funding was received from government in around 2021/2022 and was allocated for work with those who hold unknown status around recourse of use of public funds. The money supports people in this category to gain legal status in order to acquire the legal entitlement to seek support.  

Councillor Mundy acknowledged the presence of homeless persons in temporary accommodation such as hotels, which he noted to be expensive and disruptive whilst not providing sufficient facilities. He queried how much is currently spent on this, and how many people have been in hotels for more than a year. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager explained that around £1.8 has been spent on hotels stays in the recent budget but committed to reporting back to confirm. The Committee heard that this is a similar cost across urban councils in south England. The Committee heard of the challenges in moving persons on from hotels, particularly single adults who tend to stay for longer periods. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager detailed the current pipeline of 200 extra temporary accommodation units which are being made available to homeless persons and have been obtained either via private sector leasing or council stock. Councillor Smith further explained that some of these units include blocks of council flats which are set for demolition but have been acquired on a temporary basis prior to redevelopment. The Committee understood that this is an important mitigation method which had been previously agreed by Cabinet in efforts to stop the use of hotels and to ensure better accommodation options.  

Councillor Jarvis referred to the alternative options detailed on page 97 and asked whether there is a planned review in relation to the possibility of delivering some services in-house in the future. The Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager explained that alternative options are assessed, however due to availability of Council resources in the future, it has been deemed more reasonable to look to community service providers with good reputations. On this basis, there is currently no review planned. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager further explained that the alliance model, with the involvement of all the district councils, is sufficient for supporting the delivery of services required and is successfully making progress on existing projects. The Committee were assured that value for money is continually assessed.  

The Chair queried whether alternative options, such as using commercial units for temporary accommodation, have been considered as an alternative to hotels to which the Housing Strategy and Needs Manager explained that commercial options have been assessed but have been deemed insufficient as they do not offer the option of speed. In regards modular temporary units, the Committee also hard that this option has been assessed but not adopted as it does not offer sufficient value for money, and Oxford is challenged by limited land availability to accommodate such options as there is little former industrial space. The Housing Strategy and Needs Manager did however note that these ideas could be reconsidered in the future. 

Councillor Stares queried how using property which is destined for demolition is managed and inhabitants moved on to permanent options to which Councillor Smith noted that the process is similar to that of hotels.  

Councillor Mundy asked, in reference to Windale House, how the Committee could be assured that the building is suitable for homeless persons. Councillor Smith provided an update on the status of the Northbrook House and how it is currently used for elderly persons. She clarified that it would be a safe and good option for short-term accommodation, but not as a permanent long-term option.  

The Committee noted the report and resolved to make no recommendations. 

The Chair thanked officers and the Cabinet member. 

The Chair informed the Committee that a 5-minute break would be taken.  

The Senior Rough Sleeping Officer, the Rough Sleeping and Single Homelessness Manager, and the Housing Strategy and Needs Manager left the meeting.  

Councillor Ottino rejoined the meeting.  

The meeting resumed at 19.22.