Rough Sleepersthe Brent experience

WL Housing Lead Members16th November 2010

Perry SinghAssistant Director of Housing

Brent Council

Historic perspective

Not a major problem.

Street counts ranged from 1-4

Marked change around 4-5 years ago

2

Over a short period…

Police informed of a murder of a Polish rough sleeper

Church groups contacted us about supporting a large number of alcohol dependent rough sleepers

Two significant Brent sites identified – Alperton and Neasden

More recently major fire of a derelict office block – large number of squatters

Characteristics Mainly:

– Failed Asylum Seekers– A10 nationals– Or otherwise no recourse

Often:– Alcohol dependent– Health problems – physical or mental– Over-represented in criminal justice system

As perpetrators and victims Sometimes

– recourse, but client lacks basic capacity to act– ‘Lifestyle ‘choice

Mr K is happy to be here. ‘I have no job so I move around. Last week I got some work in construction. I got paid £100 for two days’ work, but now I have nothing,’ he says, shrugging his shoulders. He wants to stay and wants no help in return.

‘This is a special place, there’s no food and no energy, but I’m a hard man,’ he chuckles. ‘Capitalism isn’t for me. I have what I need… I don’t need comforts. If we get cold, we just light a fire.’

Inside Housing

Formulate the strategy Set-up strategic group:

– Borough Commander Fire service – Chief Inspector Police– AD Housing– Senior Health Service Manager– Planning enforcement– Environmental Health Manager– Head of Outreach Service– Thames Reach (later on)

Focus

Action plan developed and delivered through Operational Group

Formal reporting route to CDRP Agree approach Corporately

– In particular agreement to enforcement, as well as assistance

Partnership approach to closing down RS sites Get funding and procure re-connections service Access to drying out beds

Outcomes

2 rough sleeper sites closed. More than 180 RS re-connected across sub-region Dealt with ‘flow’ of 90 RS a year Hardcore of 3 rough sleepers

– Consulting with UKBA

Impact of HB Changes!

Change When will it impact No of Households HB LossImposition of Caps Apr 2011 - Mar 2012 1,988 8,817,844£ Removal of £15 excess Apr 2011 2,900 1,750,788£

* Non-Dependents Deduction Apr 2011 5,749 544,424£ 30th Percentile Oct 2011 - Sept 2012 6,270 7,266,755£ Age for single room rent to 25 - 35 Apr 2012 1,266 7,238,862£ TOTAL 18,173 25,618,673

* Impact on non-LHA claimants as well, e.g. Council Tenants, therefore possible impact on rent roll.

Havering

Barking & Dagenham

Redbridge

Newham

Bexley

TowerHamlets

Greenwich

Lewisham

Bromley

Southwark

Croydon

Merton

Sutton

Kingston Upon Thames

Richmond Upon Thames

Hounslow

EalingHillingdon

Harrow

Brent

Barnet

Enfield

Haringey

WalthamForest

HackneyIslington

Camden

City of London

City ofWestminster

LambethWandsworth

£0-£999 per week shortfall

£1,000-£9,999 per week shortfall

10,000-£24,999 per week shortfall

£25,000-£49,999 per week shortfall

£50,000-£99,999 per week shortfall

£100,000-£249,999 per week shortfall

£250,000+ per week shortfall

Housing Benefit Loss by Borough (projection)