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