To consider a report of the Executive Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods.

That the Executive approved the Trafford Supported Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2028 for publication.

The Executive was asked to consider a report of the Executive Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods on the Trafford Supported Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2028.

Members were informed that supported housing provided a vital service for vulnerable people and had a critical role in supporting people who were vulnerable and disadvantaged because of age, ill-health, disability, or their circumstances and cannot live independently. It was noted that appropriate housing was a crucial element of preventative services and was necessary to allow those who required support to receive it in a settled and secure environment.  

The Leader outlined what had happened in the last decade which had let the housing crisis to develop to its current levels. He informed the Committee that he had spent time with the Council’s housing options teams and the tenancy support teams and recognised the difficulty of the task they faced in trying to find places for ever increasing numbers of people when there was insufficient number of places for them. The Leader expressed that this was a very important piece of work to help address the sizable challenge the Council faced.

The Executive Member for Climate Change and Transport Strategy welcomed the report and noted the quality of the strategy document within the report. The Executive Member for Climate Change and Transport Strategy spoke of the impact cuts to services had had on people with support needs and he welcomed the Council’s continued commitment to provide supported housing.

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships noted that the report was a stark reminder of the challenges that residents faced on a regular basis. The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, and Strategic Partnerships stated that as elected members they had a duty to challenge the demonising language used to describe people who faced challenges whether they be mental health, substance misuse, or substance abuse etc.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report and added that it was a very important strategy and in particular the provision for young people aged 16 – 19 years should be noted.

The Leader of the opposition welcomed the report and recognised the need to have a range of housing available across the borough to meet the needs of residents.

RESOLVED: That the Executive approved the Trafford Supported Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2028 for publication.