Council reduces homelessness costs by £180,000
26 August 2009
Work to prevent homelessness has saved a local council over £180,000 this year.
The dedicated housing team at Harrogate Borough Council has managed to save money by reducing the use of bed and breakfast and other third party accommodation for those they have accepted as homeless.
Where they have had no choice but to use bed and breakfast, the team has been able to negotiate costs to a lower level.
Other services such as the council's temporary accommodation and using housing association properties are continuing to be a success.
Even though homelessness numbers remain at a similar level in the district, Harrogate Council's homeless prevention initiatives have excelled and have made an impact on those figures.
The council's housing team concentrates on preventative work through its aid and advice service, to try and avoid people becoming homeless.
This includes partnership working with the Citizens' Advice Bureau, Barnardo's Crash Pad and Arch mediation.
The council also has a dedicated team working to prevent homelessness amongst young people known as HowzTalk.
Councillor Jean Butterfield Cabinet Member for Housing, says that the housing team has not seen an increase in those presenting as homeless since the recession hit, but they have seen an increased number of people seeking debt advice.
She added:
"I am pleased with the housing team's determination to use preventative techniques to lower the number of homeless people in the Harrogate district.
"The savings made have been used to boost our homeless prevention fund including investing £75,000 in a prevention fund and rent bond scheme to help some people, that the council would otherwise have placed in temporary accommodation, find private rented housing.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Last year the housing team, interviewed 1670 people seeking advice about housing.
This resulted in 183 people applying for council supported housing and 151 accepted as being homeless under the council's statutory duty.
Another 534 people were prevented from becoming homeless by helping them access other support.
The remaining number of people that required advice did not feel it necessary to make an application, and were referred to services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.
FURTHER INFORMATION: is available from Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing on 01423 770381.
Further technical information is available from Mr Alan Jenks, Head of Housing on 01423 556849.