SOCIAL SERVICES,
HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 19 FEBRUARY 2004
HOUSING ADVICE
CENTRE (LAW CENTRE)
REPORT
OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND
HOUSING
REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
The Independent Housing Advice Centre has recently changed its status to become a Law Centre. The Council, through the Social Services and Housing Directorate, funds the centre to provide advice services for the Island community. Members have expressed a wish to know more about the effect of the change of status.
ACTION REQUIRED BY
THE SELECT COMMITTEE
To consider the
report
BACKGROUND
Members will be aware that the Council has
enjoyed a close working relationship with the Independent Housing Advice Centre
(IHAC) for many years. The IHAC has
been the recipient of grant funding through Housing and Community Support
Services for the provision of advice, primarily to those unable to afford other
avenues. Funding has also been paid for
floating support services through the Supporting People regime.
The Council works closely with the IHAC to
ensure that Island residents receive access to good quality advice and support
to help resolve their housing problems.
This will involve advocacy on behalf of clients against homelessness
decisions made by the Council. This is
a wholly appropriate activity and was praised by the Audit Commission in their
CPA report.
Housing and Community Support Services have
recently received funding through the ODPM’s Bead and Breakfast Unit to employ
two additional posts within the IHAC to act as the front line for all future
homelessness applications. The
additional posts will be IHAC employees and it is expected that by filtering
all initial applicants through an advice rather than a homelessness route, that
some cases will be resolved before reaching the point of homelessness. This approach has been proven elsewhere.
Recently, the IHAC has changed its status to
a Law Centre. This offers advantages in
addition to those offered within its current status. The Centre Manager has
been invited to attend the meeting to provide members with further details of
the change of status. An outline of the details is attached as Appendix 1.
RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Housing Strategy and Homelessness Strategy
CONSULTATION PROCESS
Not applicable
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER
IMPLICATIONS
There are no direct financial or legal
implications arising from this report.
APPENDICES ATTACHED
Appendix 1 –
Background information on the Law Centre
GORDON
KENDALL
Portfolio
Holder for Social Services and Housing