Council must adapt to reduce homelessness

EDDC has made good progress in combating homelessness in East Devon, thanks to the success of a number of new initiatives and making this a corporate priority.

The challenge for the future will be to maintain that progress in the face of the Credit Crunch and other financial pressures on families, a leading councillor said this week

That will mean ‘keeping our eye on the ball’ and being ready to adapt quickly to changing situations – such as the latest economic downturn, said Councillor Miss Jill Elson, Portfolio Holder Communities.

She added: “We are ready and willing to help prevent homelessness, but we need an increase in resources to do so in the face of increasing numbers of householders likely to be approaching us for assistance.

Act quickly

In a report presented to EDDC’s Executive Board on Wednesday, Miss Elson points out that over recent years a number of changes to service provision and the introduction of various homeless prevention measures have achieved significant improvements in performance in meeting the housing needs of the district, with a marked reduction in homelessness.

Recent successes include:

• Improvements to the homelessness service by introducing a housing ‘options’ approach, in line with known good practice where clients are given advice on the options available to them.
• Introduction of measures to prevent homelessness, such as:-

a) home visits for all young people excluded from home

b) funding a worker with Young Devon to provide alternative accommodation and work with young people to prevent homelessness

c) funding a worker with Citizens Advice to provide proactive money and debt advice and intervention work with people at risk of losing their home

• The introduction of a rent deposit/rent-in-advance scheme that helps people access accommodation in the private rented sector, who cannot afford the initial outlay.
• The development and implementation of a Sanctuary Scheme for survivors of domestic violence who wish to remain in their own home by improving the security of their home.
• Close working with other district councils and agencies working with homeless households to provide a more joined up consistent approach to those at risk of homelessness, in particular by participating in the Multi Agency Public Protection Panel and Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference.
• The opening of the Exmouth Housing Office in the ExmouthTown Hall to provide a more accessible housing service in our largest town.