i         Winter arrangements for rough sleepers

ii        Update on new Homeless Families Learning Resource and Toolkit.

Reports attached.

Contact: Laura Fisher

i.        Winter Provision for Rough Sleepers in Shropshire

Laura Fisher, the Housing Services Manager introduced and amplified the report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided information on Cold Weather Provision for rough sleepers in Shropshire. 

It was confirmed that the annual rough sleeper count undertaken on 20 November 2018 identified 21 verified rough sleepers.  The Cold Weather Provision, which offered accommodation to all current known rough sleepers and any that present during the winter, had been activated on 14 December 2018 and would be on-going until March 2019.  The Housing Services Manager reported that half had taken up the offer. 

For those that had refused, the offer would continue to be made along with an offer of Severe Weather Emergency Provision which was offered in conjunction with accommodation in The Ark.  Three nights of Severe Weather Emergency Provision had been offered so far this winter.  The Housing Service Manager confirmed that the Outreach service continued throughout the winter attending any reports of rough sleepers and she drew attention to Appendix A which set out how to report a rough sleeper.

In response to a query, the Housing Service Manager confirmed that the number of verified rough sleepers had increased from 13 last year to 21 this year.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

ii        Reducing Health Inequalities of Homeless Families

The Housing Services Manager then introduced and amplified a report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided information on the Homeless Families learning resource and toolkit.  It was confirmed that across the country the number of homeless families with dependent children was increasing leading to an increase in the use of temporary accommodation including B&Bs. 

It was explained that the self-study tool had been produced to enable the health sector to support homeless families and homeless young people to reduce their health inequalities and improve their wellbeing, using public health interventions. The toolkit also included more practical guidance about what other professionals could do to support homeless people.

The Housing Services Manager wished to raise awareness of the toolkit with the Health and Wellbeing Board and felt that it could be used to great effect in Shropshire.  The toolkit was endorsed by the Board however concern was raised around the overall ability of Public Health to deliver all aspects of it due to significant pressures on the budget.  The Director of Public Health informed the Board that public health were seeing a continued loss of funding with another cut having taken place just before Christmas.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the guidance be noted and that it be determined whether it could be used in Shropshire to promote and improve better health outcomes for those individuals and families at risk of suffering from homelessness.