Homeless total rises over 60% in 2 years

HALTON’S homelessness workload has soared by more than 60% in the last two years according to figures published by the local authority.

Borough health chiefs have been briefed on the rising number, which has increased from 197 clients presenting as homeless in 2014-15, up to 319 in 2016-17.

The homelessness prevention workload also crept up by 27,3% from 777 cases to 989.

Despite the increases, Halton Council said there has not been a corresponding upturn in how many of those presenting as homeless were accepted as such.

The number of residents designated homeless in 2014-15 was 32, jumped to 49 in 2015-16 and fell back to 34 in 2016-17.

A report published ahead of the council’s health policy and performance board meeting next Tuesday (June 20) said a youth officer had helped to keep the numbers down, dealing with a total of 66 young people aged 18 to 25 at risk of homelessness, and managing to find accommodation for 60 of them, with six young people (9.1%) confirmed as homeless.

In 21 cases the youth officer negotiated a return home, 12 of the young people remained at home and other forms of accommodation was found in 27 of the cases.

The report said other initiatives in Halton aimed at reducing homelessness include the borough’s Traveller pitches and advice sessions held at the Brooker Centre mental health hospital. It said the borough has the following capacity: Halton Lodge, 66 homeless singles; Grangeway Court, 10 homeless family members; Brennan Lodge, 39 single homelessness; and a 14-place domestic abuse refuge.

The document’s author said that Halton has resettled seven Syrian families since 2017 toward a total 100 individuals due to be found a home within the borough, from 510 to be homed across the Liverpool City Region.

It said the housing solutions team has faced some staffing pressure in the last six months due to two of the team being on maternity leave, but this is expected to be back up to full capacity by mid-November.

Upcoming schemes for tackling homelessness include a youth strategy.

The report said: “The authority is looking to introduce a youth homelessness strategy and action plan, which will be led by young people and give them a voice around future service provision.

“Halton is committed to working with all young people to ensure they are fully integrated and work alongside the local authority. The process is under way and a youth conference will be conducted late June 2017.”