Agenda item

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods submitted a report that presented the draft version of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Review and Strategy 2026-31 for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee and onward recommendation to the Executive.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods advised that, under the provisions of the Homelessness Act 2002, all local authorities are required to undertake a homelessness review and to publish a strategy every five years.

Members were advised that this new strategy would be the fifth such document for East Herts. Members were advised that the operating context had significantly changed since the previous strategy, including the introduction of the Renters Reform/Rights legislation for 2025 and the Government’s national plan to end homelessness December 2025.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods said that the new draft strategy set out five key priorities, which were:

1.                 Prevention and early intervention to reduce homelessness;

2.                 Increasing the supply and suitability of temporary accommodation, reducing reliance on bed and breakfast;

3.                 Improving pathways into and out of supported housing for vulnerable single people;

4.                 Maximising the availability of affordable housing;

5.                 Reducing rough sleeping and ensuring it is brief and non-recurring.

Members sought clarification on the current use of bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Committee was advised that 25 households were currently placed in bed and breakfast accommodation, and this constituted a reduction from around 30–31 households in the previous year. Members were advised that pre-pandemic levels were significantly lower, and it was noted that rising homelessness presentations had increased demand for temporary accommodation.

Members raised concerns regarding tensions between maximising affordable housing provision and the Council’s wider housing delivery challenges, including unmet targets.

The Assistant Director for Housing acknowledged that opportunities to increase affordable housing must be actively pursued and housing delivery was influenced by site viability and market conditions. Members were reminded that difficult planning decisions played a role in achieving housing outcomes.

Members queried whether legislative changes, including the end of no-fault evictions, would reduce homelessness.

The Committee was advised that no fault evictions have been the leading cause of homelessness locally for the past 2–3 years. Evictions initiated prior to legislative changes would continue through the court system for 12–18 months and early signs suggest an increased rental market supply and some stabilisation or slight reductions in rental costs. Members were advised however that it remained too early to determine the full impact.

Members discussed the links between homelessness and mental health, physical health and wider social vulnerabilities and Officers confirmed that partnership working partnership working was underway through Healthy Hubs, the Citizens’ Advice, NHS partners, and social prescribers.

Members were advised that current interventions often occur too late in the process, and the strategy aims to strengthen early intervention and improve partnership working.

Members were also advised that further work is planned to enhance collaboration with Citizens Advice and other partners.

Members noted that the draft strategy was currently out for public consultation, and it was confirmed that consultation is due to close mid-June 2026.

Members highlighted the importance of prioritising single people, including consideration of allocation policies and pathways through housing registers.

Councillor Andrews proposed and Councillor Horner seconded, a motion that the content of the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Review and Strategy 2026-31 had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Members had raised any further points for consideration for inclusion by the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods before a revised version was brought to the Executive on 14th July 2026.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) consider the content of the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Review and Strategy 2026-31; and

(B)   Overview and Scrutiny Committee have raised any further points for consideration for inclusion by the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods before a revised version is brought to the Executive on 14th July 2026.