Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services providing an update on the COVID-19 Recovery Plan and the following points were made:

·         In May 2020, the City of London Corporation developed a COVID-19 Recovery Plan to ensure the safe recovery of the City’s rough sleeping population following the COVID-19 period and develop new interventions to increase the long-term capacity of the service.  Significant progress in supporting individuals into suitable accommodation was made during the duration of the Plan which was now being wound down. The City of London had ceased operating the ‘Everyone In’ approach on 2 August 2021 had had returned to the substantive position of ‘In for Good’. 

·         In considering the update, the Chairman was pleased to note the positive outcomes achieved by the COVID-19 Recovery Plan which included 75 Credible Service Offers and 48 resettlements out of Carter Lane Hostel between April 2020 and July 2021.  In response to a question from a Committee Member, the Head of Homelessness, Prevention and Rough Sleeping advised that of nine clients in the COVID-10 Recovery Plan with no recourse to public funds, seven had applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and were awaiting determination on their cases.  Two individuals had not applied but remained eligible for the scheme which had been extended for those with extenuating circumstances, such as mental health difficulties.  No individuals with no recourse to public funds had been referred to the Home Office whilst the City of London Corporation was considering its position on the Homeless Link Immigration Pledge.  A Committee Member observed that 48 individuals were still resident at Carter Lane hostel which was due to cease operation at the end of December 2021.  The Head of Homelessness, Prevention and Rough Sleeping confirmed that there were a number of long-term resettlement options for these individuals and that an identified cohort of approximately ten individuals with complex needs would be maintained within the City of London Corporation’s supported accommodation pathway and could be moved to the new High Support Hostel.  

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.