Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) introduced the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping update report and discussed:

a)     The continuing pressure of the housing crisis, particularly at the extreme end of homelessness in the city. The long-term solution was the provision of more permanent and affordable housing through building programmes;

b)    The report highlighted the significant demand on the Housing Solutions team, which managed an active caseload of over 1,000 households at any one time, working closely with partners across the city to maintain temporary accommodation provision and reduce reliance on bed and breakfast placements;

c)     Recent government funding of £868,000 had been announced, to be used over the next 12 months with a strong focus on prevention work and systemic change to reduce reliance on short-term measures;

d)    The importance of trauma-informed and individualised approaches for those experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those in hostels, was stressed as part of a nuanced and complex response.

Jackie Kings (Head of Housing Solutions) added:

e)     Demand for housing continued to grow nationally and locally, requiring creative solutions with partners such as BCHA and PATH to bring additional properties into the system at lower cost to the authority;

f)      Work was ongoing with social housing providers to utilise regeneration properties and deliver interim solutions, alongside strategic planning through the Homelessness Recovery Programme which addressed prevention, recovery, and system support across all cohorts including families, young people, and those with disabilities;

g)     The programme included immediate, medium-term (6–12 months), and long-term actions, recognising that recovery from the current challenges would take at least 10 years.

Victoria Allen (Chief Executive, PATH) added:

h)    Homelessness was a national challenge, and Plymouth partners were working creatively to respond, from street homelessness through to settled housing;

i)      Integration with health services was critical, given the complexity of needs among those presenting, and partnerships with private landlords were being strengthened to improve access to the private rented sector.

In response to questions, the Panel discussed:

j)      Recognition of the efforts of officers and partners in tackling homelessness and the need for government to address barriers to housing delivery, including taxation on brownfield sites and funding for affordable housing;

k)     The importance of long-term investment in public housing and infrastructure, with suggestions for government to increase borrowing for housing and review local housing allowance rates to reflect rental values;

l)      Concerns about scapegoating planning authorities and the need for government to support councils in accelerating housing delivery;

m)   Increasing complexity among those presenting as homeless, including mental health needs and neurodivergence, and the impact of cuts to public services on access to healthcare;

n)    Support for frontline teams, including clinical supervision and integration of health and homelessness services, with new investment enabling recruitment of mental health specialists and occupational therapists;

o)    The significant pressures on staff managing high caseloads and the need for improved facilities and ongoing support;

p)    Trends in homelessness presentations, with the majority from deprived areas and private rented sector tenants affected by Section 21 notices, alongside domestic abuse and family breakdown as leading causes;

q)    Updates on the Royal Building acquisition and subsequent delivery of over 180 temporary accommodation units through external investment and partnerships, with further planning underway for its future use;

r)     Ways in which the public could support homelessness work, including compassion, volunteering, donations to reputable charities (PATH, Shekinah, Plymouth Soup Run), and use of StreetLink for referrals.

The Panel agreed:

1. To note the report and the progress made in addressing homelessness and rough sleeping pressures;

2. To endorse ongoing actions to address homelessness with compassion, resilience, and impact;

3. To request a future report providing a breakdown of households approaching the Council for housing advice, including geographic and demographic trends;

4. As part of the above report, to receive updates on the implications of the upcoming national budget for housing provision at a future meeting.