Former Group Chief Executive / Cyn Brif Weithredwr yr Grwp at Barcud Cyfyngedig. Arfor Consulting owner
Some reflections from last week, discussing single young homelessness at Digartref Cyf AGM, with local authority and third sector colleagues: I advise anyone who has not already read the Shelter Cymru and Bevan Foundation joint report on the experiences of homeless persons in temporary accommodation in Wales to do so.Link below to the recording of the launch event, and the report is on their websites. The increase in the use of B and B accommodation and unsuitable hotels and homes is evidence (if any more was needed) of the inadequacy of housing strategies and priorities in many Councils across Wales over decades. There is also now clear evidence of the failures of some RSLs in Wales to support their local authority partners to avoid the use of B and B accommodation. However, there are shining examples of RSLs who have always delivered for their local authority partners, and some Local authorities who are making meaningful changes to the way they deliver their statutory duties whilst coping with financial cuts. Where is the Regulatory review of individual local authority and RSL performance? I think it is time for another round of deep dive audits into the care failures and the cost failures. How is the Housing Support Grant performance going across Wales, now preventative services funding is back in the hands of local authorities? Why have some local authorities tendered at every opportunity, racing to the bottom on mainly cost alone; whilst others have never tendered out some services, and have not conducted service reviews for years to check their quality? Do they engage service users directly to ask them about the services being delivered, or is that still on the difficult to do list? One really bad recent example I came across, where the race to the bottom on price has resulted in one third sector charity losing 25% of its contracts and turnover in one go, losing out on economies of scale to a non local mono lingual charity that is based in a city two hours travel away. So much for the circular economy and keeping surpluses locally! How we as a society treat our elderly, our sick, and our homeless persons is a reflection of how much we care. We should celebrate and promote those beacons of best practice, but we also need to shine a light on those areas where it seems only the Frontline support worker, social worker, housing advice worker, really care. Discuss....
🖱️ Catch up with our temporary accommodation webinar If you missed our report launch webinar with Shelter Cymru, the recording is now available on our website. Watch now to hear our latest findings about temporary accommodation in Wales and people’s experiences of living in this limbo 👉 https://ow.ly/Kwcf50Tu2qg