Issue - meetings

Motion by Councillor Watt - Funding of Temporary Accommodation for Homeless People

“That Committee

• Notes the ongoing work of the Homelessness Task Force and the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee which has included extending the PSL contract and the ongoing extension of a private rented framework, both of which seek to further increase the supply of temporary flats.

• Recognises the development of a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) for Edinburgh, which sets out the options for improving prevention of homelessness and increasing the supply of permanent, affordable accommodation with the aim of ending the use of temporary accommodation.

• Notes the previously approved decision to invest in 5 properties for home-share.

• Calls for a report to be submitted to the Policy & Sustainability Committee, which lists the current temporary accommodation that has been contracted for since the CV-19 pandemic: giving the type of accommodation, the number of families and single people accommodated and the current end date of the contracts.

• The report should set out the work to date on an exit strategy and transition post lock down to find positive solutions for people moving on from accommodation provided as a public health response to the Covid 19 pandemic. This should include an update report on the work to increase the number of PSL properties available to use as temporary accommodation.

• The report should also make recommendations as to what types of accommodation could be purchased or leased long-term (including – but not restricted to – properties that were previously being used for ‘air bnb’ style short-term lets). It should also consider work with third sector partners and how contracting could be used to secure further accommodation so that we are examining all options to ensure that suitable accommodation is available for people when their current accommodation ceases to be available.”