Agenda item

The report provided an overview and update on the approach being taken around housing for people who may need care and support in Doncaster.  Members were informed that work had been ongoing for a number of years and there was now a focus to bring this work together into a more structured approach and to build on the existing provision.  It was recognised that this was an area of work that needed further work.

A discussion took place that included the following areas;

Quality of Data Used – It was explained that there were around 24,000 social housing properties and more than 100,000 private ones.  It was noted that it was important to make best use of the existing housing stock. Members were informed of a private sector housing condition survey undertaken by the Building Research Establishment, which would provide the Council with an evidence base on property condition.  It was explained that social housing landlords had better information about their properties (in comparison to the private sector) due to the service they provided and the standards they adhere to.  It was explained that they had blended together some national sets of data about housing conditions to create a picture which would provide an assessment of property condition cast against a framework known as the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.  It was explained that the survey would help form the Health Impact Assessment of the data, which would in turn provide useful information.

Regarding the quality of data, it was outlined that teams within the Council looked at both data and projections through POPPI (for older people) and PANSI (for working age population).  It was noted that CENSUS data was used to help when looking at the longer-term projections.  In addition, Needs Assessments were used as well as 3-year rolling data to look at those populations groups and what future housing needs were likely to be. 

Housed Outside of Doncaster – Members heard that work was being undertaken to repatriate those individuals with specialist needs that had been housed outside of Doncaster, and that numbers were reducing.  It was outlined that part of the Specialist Housing and Support Steering Group’s role was to provide information on what was needed and where there were commissioning gaps to ensure that the right offer was in the right place.  Members were also told about work being undertaken with Directors of Adult Social Services to look at those very specific areas of commissioning and what could be achieved regionally.  It was also noted that Outside Area Reviews were considered a priority to ensure that there was an oversight when individuals were moved outside of Doncaster.  It was commented that there were links with what was trying to be achieved through Adult Social Care work.

It was felt that there was an inadequate provision for homeowners to downsize when their current home was no longer the best option.  It was believed that the Housing Development industry had failed to respond to this demographic shift.  It was noted that this was a complicated issue that the Local Plan has tried to balance through the allocation of land and the needs of different households.  It was recognised that it was important to build family houses as household numbers continued to grow (due to societal changes such as marriage breakdowns).

It was noted that there were issues around the lack of available land to build houses and the housing sector building what was needed.  Members were informed that efforts were being made where possible to secure houses suitable for downsizing as part of the planning process. It was explained that the Council was entering the next phase of bungalow developments as part of its housing offer, through building them on small infill plots, although this also presented its own challenges.  A different route would be to support people to remain in their home through the provisions of aids and adaptions.

Proposed Governance Model -– It was explained that the membership of the group was partly made up of those who wished to be on the group and ensuring that they were appropriately represented.  It was noted that we needed to improve or correct the way things are undertaken here before feeding in the voice of those with lived experience in a meaningful way.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2019–2024 – A Member questioned what progress had been made around the numbers of people who were homeless and rough sleepers during the time of the strategy.  Members were informed that numbers of rough sleepers tended to fluctuate between low 10 teens to low 20s although this was higher during periods of the pandemic.  Members heard that SLHD worked alongside people who have experienced homelessness or were facing homelessness.  Reference was made to positive developments that had taken place since 2019 such as the Housing 1st approach, helping people to access a home and build the support they needed around the home.  Members were also informed about homes modelling with SLHD, helping more people straight away resulting in fewer people staying in Bed and Breakfast accommodation (especially families with children).

Mosaic – Concern was raised about issues with the Mosaic system for Adult Services following reporting problems that had occurred in Children’s Services.  Members were assured that the system used for Adult Services was a different version and although there would be some challenges, the same reporting difficulties were not being experienced.  Members were assured that this would be monitored closely.   

Present and Future Challenges – Concern was raised around issues arising across households such as damp and mould due to increased cost of living and fuel poverty.   Members were told that St Leger Housing Doncaster (SLHD) had started to respond to potential damp and mould issues through an internal working group.  An outline was provided of what was in place to address this issue including a small new team of surveyors who have been moved onto damp and mould work and a review of options for better ventilation was currently underway.  It was explained that SLHD undertakes any repairs required at the property to remedy damp and mould issues.  It was acknowledged that in some cases, there were no physical property issues to address and the fundamental problem was an inability by tenants to be able to afford to heat their home due to the very high cost of fuel bills and other cost of living pressures.  Members were assured that cost of living was being looked at through Public Health’s Wellbeing Essential group and was being considered through other poverty related work.  Reference was made to what was taking place and what was available to support residents facing such challenges.

The Panel welcomed a future update on the Health Impact Assessment of the Stock Condition report and consultation around the next Housing Strategy, to ensure that Adult Social Care issues and health inequalities (being addressed by housing) will be accounted for and embedded.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

·         Note the contents of the presentation and provide their feedback;

·         Receive an update on the health impact assessment work.