The report was presented by Ryan Farmer.

The Chair asked whether the service had considered what issues they would face after the pandemic if the Covid-19 vaccination programme was successful. Ryan Farmer answered that in the past 12 months, there had been significant intervention from the service to help people in their stability and security. There had been a ban on residential evictions that had now been extended along with Universal Credit and when these came to an end, people would have to support themselves again but it was unclear to know the full impact this. He commented that the service could potentially see an increase in the homelessness service with people facing financial difficulties but was hard to quantify whilst interventions were in place.

Ian Wake said that the Council had seen a fundamental change in how health services had been provided and care had been altered in order to provide sufficient capacity. He commented that there was a worry in that there could be a bigger health crisis that was not Covid-19 related as things that normally happened had not occurred. This could lead to a demand for more specialist and supported housing in adult social care provision and there was already recognition of a mental health crisis. He went on to say that after the interventions ended, there could be a potential increase in unemployment which would see associated problems that included an increase in homelessness and an impact to the economy that could lead to housing demand. Tracy John added that the Housing Service would look at how they could continue to deliver its housing programmes and repairs services as well as looking out for issues where people were financially restricted. She said that the service would ensure that teams had the capacity and flexibility to respond to issues and also support staff who may have had issues through the pandemic as well.

The Committee agreed to suspend standing orders until 10pm to enable the Agenda to be completed.

Councillor Redsell commented that car crimes had increased and questioned if this was due to everyone working from home. She also mentioned that tenants who lived in Chadwell St Mary had been prioritised for the Claudian Way development and was concerned that other people on the housing waiting list had not been prioritised and may have been on the list for a longer time. Ryan Farmer said that he was unable to answer in regards to car crime. In regards to Claudian Way, he said that a local lettings plan had been used as with the Council’s previous four new developments. For Claudian Way, 75% of the lettings had been provided to people within the boundary of Chadwell St Mary as people who lived in the area of a new development should be offered the opportunity to move there and this had freed up other properties for people to bid on through the housing register. There had been a proportion of the Claudian Way properties that were still available through the housing register. The bungalows had been offered to people with specific needs for a bungalow across the Borough. With the houses and flats, 25 were made available through the housing register for people to bid on as usual. The Chair commented that Local Lettings policies were good as there was a better buy-in from the local community and satisfied their needs.

Councillor Abbas highlighted concerns on the increase in ASB particularly in the Garrison Estate and asked how this issue would be addressed. He also asked for an update on previously reported cases of people who had no recourse to public funds. He also asked how people on Universal Credit would be helped with the rent increases. Ryan Farmer answered that work was being undertaken to tackle this issue between the Housing Team and the ASB Safeguarding Team. In regards to an update on people who had no recourse to public funds, he said that people were continued to be supported as best as possible and would provide further details after Committee. In regards to Universal Credit and rent increases, he said that the service had been taking a data-led approach over the last 12 months which looked at indicators and signals in advance where people may be starting to face some financial difficulties. This approach had been able identify the people who needed support the most and financial inclusion officers had been able to support people to maximise their income to ensure that they received the benefits that they were entitled to as well as providing advice and support.

In regards to sheltered accommodation and the communal halls, Councillor Worrall highlighted concerns that residents were not able to use the communal halls as it was difficult to make these ‘Covid secure’. She asked if there were plans in place to enable residents to book time to use the communal halls. Ryan Farmer said that he understood that there were feelings of isolation within a vulnerable group that had to shield in the past 12 months. He explained that the service was led by national Government guidance during the pandemic and would open the communal halls as soon as it was safe to do so.

Councillor Redsell commented that feelings of loneliness had been an issue before the pandemic had occurred and she asked what other plans were being implemented here. She also said that the issue of loneliness had brought back a community spirit. Ian Wake answered that he was aware of this and shared the concerns and hoped that everyone would receive their full Covid-19 vaccinations soon. He said that this linked to the Housing Strategy as housing services needed to be integrated with all the other relevant services to enable older people and those who felt lonely to be able to make use of the community resources that Thurrock had. He went on to say that the Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action Group had a great partnership of volunteers that had come forward to help people during the pandemic as well.

Lynn Mansfield sought clarification on what would happen to people once the eviction ban was lifted and questioned if this would put a strain on the Homelessness Service and what the options would be for children. Ryan Farmer answered that if there were evictions within the private housing sector, it would potentially lead to an increase in the Council’s homelessness service. When a person or family approached the homelessness service, an assessment of their situation was undertaken and the service would try to help in preventing their homelessness. The service had a duty to provide temporary accommodation to certain people such as those who had children. Within the Council’s housing sector, an eviction would be the very last resort as the service aimed to ensure that people had a safe, secure and stable home for as long as possible and would support people where there were difficulties.

RESOLVED:

Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee were asked to note and comment on the contents of this report which sets out the continued response of the Housing service in relation to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.