Decision details

1.  To agree to publish and implement changes to the homelessness policy:

·  The Accommodation Procurement Policy for homeless households - Appendix 1.

·  The Private Rented Sector Offers Policy for homeless households - Appendix 2. 

·  The Revised Temporary Accommodation lettings framework - Appendix 3.

2.  To note that homeless households in temporary accommodation placed outside of the borough will retain their rights to bid for Southwark’s permanent social housing.

1.  That changes to the homelessness policy be agreed to be implemented and published as set out in the report and with the following amendments to the appendices:

·  Appendix 1: Accommodation Procurement Policy for Homeless Households

Insert new 4th bullet point under paragraph 21: “The council’s first priority will be to secure accommodation in Southwark, where it is not possible to secure good quality affordable accommodation in Southwark the council will next look in surrounding boroughs, then in other London boroughs and then in other areas within the M25. The council will also work to secure accommodation for those households who wish to live outside of this area.”

Amend text on Chart 1 on page 5 from “Other areas in line with policy within 90 minutes by bus of London Borough of Southwark” to “Other areas within the M25”

·  Appendix 2: Private Rented Sector Offers Policy for Homeless Households

Amend the 3^rd bullet point under paragraph 13 from:  “PRSOs will be restricted to 90 minutes journey time by bus from either Southwark or the household’s existing location” to “Accommodation will be in or close to Southwark. Unless the household requests a move to a location that is further away, the accommodation offered will be within 90 minutes reasonable journey time by public transport from the address the household was living at before they became homeless and will also be within the M25. Travel times will be measured using the Transport for London online Journey Planner.”

·  Appendix 3: Temporary Accommodation Lettings Framework

Inserts new paragraph on page 3: “Unless you request accommodation in a location that is further away, we will offer you accommodation within 90 minutes reasonable journey time by public transport from where you were living before you became homeless, this will also be within the M25 area. Travel times will be measured using the Transport for London online Journey Planner.”

Amend text on diagram on page 3 from “Other areas in line with policy within 90 minutes by bus of London Borough of Southwark” to “Other areas within the M25”

Amend end of 7^th bullet point on page 5 from “90 minutes travelling distance of their school or college and we acknowledge this time will be via a journey by bus due to affordability of transport.” to “90 minutes travelling distance by bus of their school or college, alternatively where the journey is possible within 90 minutes by train, tube or tram but not by bus the council will meet the cost difference between the bus fare and the fare using the train, tube or tram.”

Insert a new paragraph after the 5^th paragraph on page 6. “If you wish to keep your children in their current school the council will seek to offer you accommodation within 90 minutes journey time by public transport from their school. Where this journey to take the children in your household to and from this existing school is possible within 90 minutes by train, tube or tram but not by bus the council will pay the difference in cost between the bus fare and the fare using the train, tube or tram”

2.  That it be noted that homeless households in temporary accommodation placed outside of the borough will retain their rights to bid for Southwark’s permanent social housing.