Universal Credit and Homelessness

Homelessness is a big issue across the country, but judging by the small number of district councillors who chose to attend a recent workshop on Universal Credit and the Homelessness Reduction Act, you would think it is hardly an issue at all in South Somerset.

A total of 14 out of 60 elected representatives rolled up on one of the hottest days of the year to find out more about what is happening to some of our most vulnerable people. Personally, as flippant as the notion is, I was pleased to be able to get out of the heat for a few hours. I suspect that as many councillors are what we call ‘twin hatters’, those newly elected bods who have tucked their feet beneath the tables at county hall will consider their priorities lie there at present.

Certainly, as I know myself, juggling one’s commitments can be a tricky business; a clear case for not permitting members to serve on more than one council.

In its simplest form, Universal Credit, which is a digital service, was introduced locally in 2016 and has now been put in place across the county. Basically, if you do not have access to, or are able to use a digital device, tough.

When it comes to the homeless, it is a legal duty for local authorities to provide assistance to homeless people in their area, but I am always mindful that the link between homelessness and other associated issues such as mental health problems, requires multi-agency working. It is something that over the years we seem to have spent endless amounts of time talking about, with very little being achieved in reality.

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act, due to be in place by April 2018, local authorities will legally have a duty to take on responsibility for preventing anyone becoming homeless who at is at danger of doing so, within 56 days. 

There will now be more focus on prevention, along with the need to provide individuals with personal housing plans. This will include a requirement for them to be willing to engage with agencies providing debt, alcohol or drug support where required.

At this point I feared for my blood pressure. As a proponent of social responsibility, although we must never accept excuses, what is missing here is a basic understanding of why people behave the way they do, knowing full well that it will have a detrimental impact on their lives.    

It seems that there is support in place, but I remain concerned about what is being done to effectively communicate with those who for whatever reason are unable or unwilling to engage with the services that can help them. When posing the question during the session I attended the response was ’In some cases there could be 6 or 7 different services involved’.

My argument is that if so many people are involved and there is still a problem then clearly whatever method is in place is not working.