Lisa BarkerHomelessness and Housing Support
Department of Communities and local Government
Tackling HomelessnessTackling Homelessness
The Role and Importance of Local The Role and Importance of Local
AuthoritiesAuthorities
Local AuthoritiesIn England:
354 Housing authorities, who have
Strategic Enabling Role, as well as
Statutory duties relating to homelessness, including
Requirement to produce a Local strategy to prevent homelessness and ensure sufficient accommodation and support are available for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Expectation to keep under revision
In England:
354 Housing authorities, who have
Strategic Enabling Role, as well as
Statutory duties relating to homelessness, including
Requirement to produce a Local strategy to prevent homelessness and ensure sufficient accommodation and support are available for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Expectation to keep under revision
Why Local Authorities
Central Govt sets framework which is set out in our strategy
Local Housing Authorities are uniquely placed within the community to tackle the problem
In return for duties, govt awards powers and finance
Govt sets performance framework, monitors and rewards
Central Govt sets framework which is set out in our strategy
Local Housing Authorities are uniquely placed within the community to tackle the problem
In return for duties, govt awards powers and finance
Govt sets performance framework, monitors and rewards
Partnerships key
Valuable role and contribution from Third Sector
LAs should work in partnership with VCS in their area where they contribute to the strategy
LAs can consider working in partnership with other LAs where there are cross boundary issues or where pooling can increase available resources.
Valuable role and contribution from Third Sector
LAs should work in partnership with VCS in their area where they contribute to the strategy
LAs can consider working in partnership with other LAs where there are cross boundary issues or where pooling can increase available resources.
How do we work with Local Authorities
Set Objectives: Reduce Rough Sleeping, Minimise use of B&B, Reduce Homelessness against the main causes, Halve the use of TA by 2010
Set the law but offer support around implementation
Best Practice/Beacons/Regional Champions/ DVD
On Going help and support: Good Practice Guidance, Policy Briefings, Specialist Advisors
Commission delivery support and capacity building
Set Objectives: Reduce Rough Sleeping, Minimise use of B&B, Reduce Homelessness against the main causes, Halve the use of TA by 2010
Set the law but offer support around implementation
Best Practice/Beacons/Regional Champions/ DVD
On Going help and support: Good Practice Guidance, Policy Briefings, Specialist Advisors
Commission delivery support and capacity building
Success in reducing most severe problems
0
500
1000
1500
2000
19981999
20002001
20022003
20042005
Rough sleeping, rest ofEnglandRough sleeping, London
0
500
1000
1500
2000
19981999
20002001
20022003
20042005
Rough sleeping, rest ofEnglandRough sleeping, London
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
2002 Q3
2002 Q4
2003 Q1
2003 Q2
2003 Q3
2003 Q4
2004 Q1
2004 Q2
2004 Q3
2004 Q4
2005 Q1
2005 Q2
2005 Q3
All use of B&B
Families in B&B
Families in B&B over 6 wks
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
1997
-98
1998
-99
1999
-00
2000
-01
2001
-02
2002
-03
2003
-04
2004
-05
2005
-06(p
rojec
ted)
Homelessness acceptances Placed in temp accom
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
1997
-98
1998
-99
1999
-00
2000
-01
2001
-02
2002
-03
2003
-04
2004
-05
2005
-06(p
rojec
ted)
Homelessness acceptances Placed in temp accom
Prevention is the key.
New local authority strategies and prevention approaches started in 2002
Homelessness falling since end of 2003
Increasing investment in prevention up to 2007-08 and expect further reductions in homelessness
Strategies put in place
We’re starting to see results from strategies and prevention work
LAs make greater use of their own stock to house homeless households, RSL stock is used less (2003-04)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
North East North West Yorkshire &Humber
East Midlands West Midlands East London South East South West ENGLAND
Pe
rce
nta
ge
% of LA lettings to homeless households % of RSL lettings to LA-nominated homeless households
But here’s the challenge
30000
80000
130000
180000
230000
280000
330000
3800001
99
6-9
7
19
97
-98
19
98
-99
19
99
-00
20
00
-01
20
01
-02
20
02
-03
20
03
-04
20
04
-05
Social lettings, England Temp. accom, England
30000
80000
130000
180000
230000
280000
330000
3800001
99
6-9
7
19
97
-98
19
98
-99
19
99
-00
20
00
-01
20
01
-02
20
02
-03
20
03
-04
20
04
-05
Social lettings, England Temp. accom, England
As social housing availability has declined,
number of households in temporary accommodation has more than doubled
Reached an all-time high of 100,000 in 2004, but steady since then
Target is to halve number by 2010.
5 Year Strategy to Reduce Homelessness
Preventinghomelessness
Tackling widercauses & symptoms
Improved access tosettled homes
Sustaining reductionsIn rough sleeping
Supporting vulnerable people
Supporting PeopleOver £353m for homelessness
£90 million hostelsimprovement programme
86% of LAs havemore staff preventinghomelessness now
87% of LAs now havea rent deposit scheme
SR04 provided for 50%increase in social housing
Domestic violence a factor in 1 in 7
homelessness cases
Halve use of temporary
accommodation by 2010
5 Year Strategy to Reduce Homelessness
Preventinghomelessness
Tackling widercauses & symptoms
Improved access tosettled homes
Sustaining reductionsIn rough sleeping
Supporting vulnerable people
Supporting PeopleOver £353m for homelessness
£90 million hostelsimprovement programme
86% of LAs havemore staff preventinghomelessness now
87% of LAs now havea rent deposit scheme
SR04 provided for 50%increase in social housing
Domestic violence a factor in 1 in 7
homelessness cases
Halve use of temporary
accommodation by 2010
Prevention
Up to date info is crucial
289 have more prevention staff than in 2002
202 operate a spend to save policy
249 LA’s have rent deposit/bond schemes
165LA’s have or plan Sanctuary schemes
18,471 H/holds prevented Apr/Jun 05
£21.202m efficiency savings nationally
Up to date info is crucial
289 have more prevention staff than in 2002
202 operate a spend to save policy
249 LA’s have rent deposit/bond schemes
165LA’s have or plan Sanctuary schemes
18,471 H/holds prevented Apr/Jun 05
£21.202m efficiency savings nationally
Homelessness is ReducingQuarter 3 2004 - 2005 P1E Returns
England 23%
North East 32%
North West 14%
Yorks & Humber 10%
East Midlands 7%
England 23%
North East 32%
North West 14%
Yorks & Humber 10%
East Midlands 7%
West Midlands 12%
East 9%
London 22%
South East 10%
South West 12%
West Midlands 12%
East 9%
London 22%
South East 10%
South West 12%
How is homelessness being prevented?
Cause Action
Parents, relatives or friends exclusions, relationship breakdown (38%)
Mediation/counselling, home visits
Violent relationship breakdown (13%) Sanctuary schemes
End of assured shorthold tenancy (13%) Advice, landlord mediation/ negotiation, rent deposit/bond
Mortgage or rent arrears (4%) Debt counselling, advocacy in court, resolving HB problems
Person poorly-equipped to sustain tenancy (??)
Advice and support (Supporting People), life skills, budgeting
Lack of information (??) Early, proactive intervention, advice and good range of options
The Challenge for England
Recognise target is a challenge – but it is achievable
B&B target shows what can be done on the ground
London is leading the way on many prevention initiatives
Diversity and Flexibility of London and other Housing Markets
A threat or an opportunity?
Recognise target is a challenge – but it is achievable
B&B target shows what can be done on the ground
London is leading the way on many prevention initiatives
Diversity and Flexibility of London and other Housing Markets
A threat or an opportunity?
What’s the Endgame??
New emphasis on and professionalism of advice, prevention and options,
Build Capacity and Innovation within the LG sector
More households appropriately housed with access to services
More households offered options to prevent homelessness
But not a zero target
Settled homes:changing lives
New emphasis on and professionalism of advice, prevention and options,
Build Capacity and Innovation within the LG sector
More households appropriately housed with access to services
More households offered options to prevent homelessness
But not a zero target
Settled homes:changing lives