Homeless Bound? Plenary 2: Working in partnership Speaker: June Barnes Chief Executive East Thames Group Cllr Peter Fleming Leader Sevenoaks District Council Chair: Kate Dodsworth Assistant Director, London, South East and East of England National Housing Federation
The Housing Association as a partner in homelessness prevention June Barnes, Chief Executive, East Thames 29-35 WEST HAM LANE STRATFORD LONDON E15 4PH SWITCHBOARD: 020 8522 2000 MINICOM: 020 8522 2006 FAX: 020 8522 2001 WWW.EAST-THAMES.CO.UK
Background: The East London perspective......changes to benefit will encourage moves eastwards Trends are already bad... Homelessness acceptances dropped by 65% between 2002-03 and 2009-10 But there were 614 acceptances in 2011 and 813 in 2012. Families in temp accomm saw 30% decrease between 2003 and 2010. But rose from 10,129 in March 2011 to 10,395 in March 2012. Housing Associations can help in prevention and providing the advice and support that people need to make good decisions about home ownership and debt.
HA s: We don t have a direct duty......but we do more than build homes! Transforming lives and preventing repeat homelessness through... Helping people into work, education and training Assisting with money management and budgeting Providing volunteering opportunities Troy a foyer resident - has secured an apprenticeship at Jamie Oliver s Fifteen restaurant in Shoreditch
Still a large scale problem for Young People: The Young & Homeless survey of 79 homeless charities and 108 LAs, found that in 2010/11: 17% of LAs feel they are not meeting legal requirements for homeless aged 16-17, Half of LAs report using B&Bs as emergency accommodation for young people, despite Government guidelines, 53% homeless agencies experienced closures or threats of closure to youth services in their area 44% of homelessness services and 48% councils saw increases in young people homeless or at risk of homelessness, 48% of homeless agencies turned away young single homeless because resources stretched, Biggest cause is relationship breakdown and cases increasing, 62% of young homeless clients seen were NEET 46% were in financial difficulties, 26% had slept rough.
Early prevention, early in life a solution for young people Foyers: Our something for something deal The Numbers... 588 young people at any time c. 50 will be young parents Residents in education up 25% on 2011/12 50 got university place this year 64% residents in employment, education or training activities 27 residents a month volunteer 75% move to independence Many supported to reconcile with their families. In return for accommodation and support for a period of typically one year, young people make an individually tailored, formal agreement with us about how they will make use of our facilities and resources....not a new idea -but continuously relevant and continuously effective!
A solution for young homeless people Investment saves now and in the future! The Money... Cost to state per homeless person is 26,000 per person (inc. benefits, accommodation, children) Support charges for a foyer per person: 3k per annum Plus 5,200 pa for accomm (if claiming HB)......so 3 out of 4 move to independence for a third of the cost of being homeless!
Breaking the cycle of homelessness for young people Foyers: Continued relevance 18 years on... In summary: high quality housing management and support planning to prepare young people for independence; the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, experience and confidence to move on to permanent independent accommodation and to manage their lives successfully. avoidance of repeat homelessness is a primary aim......and 3 out of 4 achieve it!
The work that we do: Employment & Training Routes to Work Employability training Designed and structured work experience with corporate partners and East Thames Access to opportunities for mentoring from professionals in many sectors Construct Your Career Sector based employability training City & Guilds level 1 qualification CSCS test and card Work experience and job brokerage Access to jobs with our contractors Workwise Drop in service and 121 appointments Information, advice and guidance Assisted job search and job brokerage Links to local employers Training and workshops Workplace Hub Community based service Links with large local employers Tailored to local needs
The work that we do: Improving Employability 109 people back into work since April 239 last year! 552.5k saving to state since April (reduction in the amount of benefit claimed) 33 apprentices on site creating new opportunities for young people Over 10,000 volunteering hours delivered per year At the beginning of the course, I relied on others to a great extent and did not have confidence in my own abilities. But over the weeks, my confidence has grown and I realise I can work in a team and have good leadership skills, which will all help me in the workplace. - Alison
The Housing Association as a partner in... Spending Cuts and Welfare Reform Issue: Benefit cap & reduction in housing benefit for under occupation: We have c. 100 families affected by the cap and 217 full HB claimants u61 that may need urgent moves (over 1000 potentially affected) We get about 400 voids a year all subject to CBL and noms agreements Solutions: Pooling of stock across local providers to create moves to protect households? Re-invigorated partnership working on mutual exchanges? Creative thinking on outdated nomination agreements?
The Housing Association as a partner in... Spending Cuts and Welfare Reform Issue: Council Tax changes: Tenants will need to find between 3 and 5 per week to pay towards Council Tax Housing benefit direct to claimants: Debt, home loss, litigation cost and bad debt... Solution: Partnership working on priority debts? Avoiding the risk of Council Tax litigation threatening the sustainability of the household. Close working and information sharing protocols to protect residents from debt Slow claim handling means arrears which could mean direct payment anyway?
C L L R P E T E R F L E M I N G WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP
LOCAL CONTEXT
CHEAPEST FLATS TO BUY
CHEAPEST FLATS TO RENT
MAIN CAUSES
HIDDEN HOMELESS
RISING HOMLESSNESS
PREVENTION
THE KENT APPROACH
A DIFFERENT APPROACH - HERO
HOUSING*ENERGY RETAINING*OPTIONS
PARTNERS
PARTNERS
REDUCING
OTHER APPROACHES
GYPSY AND TRAVELLER COMMUNITY
WEST KENT HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY proactively support and empower people to plan their own futures so that homelessness within West Kent is reduced
DELIVERING THE VISION Homelessness prevention through provision of appropriate housing choices Maximising resources across West Kent, becoming more efficient and effective Working effectively with private sector landlords Creating strong partnerships to tackle homelessness Meeting the needs of the diverse range of people affected by homelessness
WELFARE REFORM
BENEFIT CAP
LHA
PRIVATE RENTED
UNDER 35 S
DIRECT PAYMENTS
B&B
NEW HOUSING
THE HIDDEN REFORM
LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
KEEP IN TOUCH cllr.fleming@sevenoaks.gov.uk @dmontfort
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