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“The Future is Local”
Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council
The Westminster context
• Westminster’s attraction at the heart of London
• Average house prices exceed £500,000
• 3 years ago more people sleeping rough in the City than anywhere else – but now halved
• Target to halve number of people living in temporary accommodation by 2010
The Future is Local
• Changing public perceptions through:Tackling problems of soup runsFocusing on the cause of
homelessness, rather than the symptoms
What are the full range of services homeless people need?
The Future is Local
Detailed data analysis:
• 40% had alcohol support needs
• 33% involved in drug use
• 40% with mental health needs
• 38% previously in prison
• 13% had been in care
The Future is Local
• European dimension:Growing impact of EU
accession statesArrival of larger, family
groupsPeople without language
skills or housing optionsNeed to respond quickly
The Future is Local
• Move away from reliance on outreach, street-based approach
• Development of Building Based Services - primary care, mental health, substance misuse and housing options
• Results: 70% of those in hostels moving to independent housing
• Support of local agencies
The Future is Local
• Investment in Social Rented Housing in Westminster
Investment in Social Rented Housing
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
2000/01 (511units)
2001/02 (271units)
2002/03 (274units)
2003/04 (180units)
2004/05 (154units)
£ m
illio
n
Housing Corporation SHG
Affordable Housing Funds
LASHG
The Future is Local
• Local Government Assocation perspective:Local authorities as “place shapers”Tackling homelessness through a strategic
approach to housingA “more varied menu” of housing optionsNeed for genuine devolution of decisions to
the correct, local level
The Future is Local
• Tackling worklessness to tackle homelessness
• Local authorities acting as brokers to promote access to skills and education
• Co-ordinated services, knocking down the barriers to employment
So why is the future local?
One Size Does Not Fit All
Regional surplus and shortage of homes in England, 2003There are housing shortages in the south of England
-2.5%
-2.0%
-1.5%
-1.0%
-0.5%
0.0%
0.5%
Y&H WM EM NW NE East SE SW London
Source: DLCG live tables (dwellings), March 2005 household estimates (households), and Survey of English Housing (second homes); the data is for 2003; England
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So why is the future local?
One Size Does Not Fit All
• Local circumstances – and local knowledge – are crucial
• The full range of services – social, economic and environmental – all need to be co-ordinated and provided
• Local authorities in place, and ready to make significant progress given the tools and the resources from government
“The Future is Local”
Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council