More homes for homelessness

Adequate accommodation for homeless families is in short supply, but the council hopes to change that by working closely with private landlords.

Last night the council’s Executive agreed to adopt a Private Sector Leasing scheme (PSL) which will help provide good quality, well managed temporary accommodation for homeless applicants within the borough, to whom we have a duty to house.

The scheme will mean that the council will have access to an additional pool of good quality temporary accommodation within the borough, through leasing properties from private landlords for a fixed period of time.

Councillor Seamus Quilty, Housing Portfolio Holder, said: "This is a fantastic scheme which we hope will be up and running in the New Year. We have adopted it in response to the national and local rise in homelessness and therefore the higher demand for appropriate accommodation.

"The scheme will not only increase the number of properties we have available here in Hertsmere but will also reduce the use of bed and breakfast as temporary accommodation which is extremely costly and not ideal for families. What’s more, it will decrease the chances of families with local support networks being housed outside of the borough."

PSL will also give struggling landlords an opportunity to receive a guaranteed rental income whilst relinquishing the day-to-day management of the property which would be handled by an agent appointed by the council.

In addition to PSL, Hertsmere is providing more homes for homeless families through the PLACE scheme (Private Leasing Agreement Converting Empties). We are one of a handful of local councils operating this scheme which provides private landlords with financial assistance and support to renovate long-term empty properties so that they can be used as temporary accommodation for homelessness.

At the meeting the Executive also approved additional funding to deal with homelessness in Hertsmere.