This report gives an overview of current housing options for young people in Shropshire, specifically those who are Looked After or Care Leavers

10.1    Members received the report of the Housing Assistance Manager which provided an overview of current housing options for young people in Shropshire and specifically those who were Looked After or Care Leavers.

10.2    In response to questions from Members, the Housing Assistance Manager responded as follows:

·         At this point in time, Shropshire Council does not “take-on” private properties but it does inspect them to make sure they are up to an appropriate standard;

·         Housing Services do consult with the Planning Department and appropriate data is sought and used in an effort to assess and bring forward the appropriate number of properties.  The Planning Department are aware of the need for one-bedroomed properties;

·         All young persons in need would be accommodated.  Shropshire Council has a responsibility and duty to accommodate any child in need;

·         It is important to note that not all providers are local providers, but some are national providers who have made the decision to provide elsewhere.  The local providers have continued to be and remain local providers.  Shropshire Housing Association had no intention of leaving the market and was planning to build more.  It is not just about providing supported accommodation it is about providing the right accommodation, whether this be private rented or shared properties within social housing.  The Housing Support Model is an old model and although remains suitable for some people it is not suitable for all.  Some of our young people when they reach 18 years of age are more than capable of living independently.  We need to balance provision; and

·         Notwithstanding that the majority of young people would like to remain in Shrewsbury, and this may be because they have either grown-up in the town or because it is the major market town in the County, it is important that provision and options of where to live are made available across the County.

10.3    The Deputy Portfolio Holder – Housing explained that as part of the Local Plan Review, the type and affordability of housing provision would be considered, although this was not yet at a stage where exact figures could be quoted.  It was important to note that schemes should remain viable whilst still delivering the maximum affordable and social housing that could be realistically obtained from any developments.  There were also plans to develop a Housing Charter and this would include a review of the private rented housing provision and maybe the introduction of a landlords accreditation scheme.  Both the Deputy Portfolio Holder – Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People thanked the Housing Assistance Manager and her team for the report and welcomed the close-working between both Housing Services and Children’s Services. 

10.4    The Director of Children’s Services explained that one of the outcomes of the work undertaken over the past few years was the purchase and refurbishment of New Century Court; this had meant the retention of 12 valuable spaces.  She stressed the importance of the need to ensure adequate and correct provision in the future.

10.5    RESOLVED: That the following actions and improvements to improve the options available and joint working needed to improve a young person’s ability to live independently as well as increase suitable provision be agreed:

·         Employment of a Children’s and Young Person Co-ordinator (budget agreed and in progress);

·         Employment of a Private Rented Sector Officer (budget agreed and in progress);

·         Implementation of independent living skills for all those leaving care (in progress);

·         Better planned move-on for all those leaving care (in progress);

·         Agreement for Children’s Services to act as guarantor for all Looked After Children aged 17 who are allocated a property in social housing stock up until their 18th birthday (agreed at corporate parenting panel on 21st June 2018);

·         Secure supported housing projects within the County (ongoing);

·         Improve access to semi-independent housing options for those leaving care (ongoing);

·         Improve and increase the use of Discretionary Housing Payment, Enhanced Housing Management and Housing Benefit funding (ongoing);

·         Identify corporate funding to provide better housing options for those leaving care (ongoing); and

·         Monitor all Looked After Children’s move-on options at age 18 (ongoing).