Homeless Prevention Tuesday 16 April 2013 Angela Lamonte Homeless Team Leader

Legislative Context Housing Act 1996 S179 Every local housing authority shall secure that advice and information about homelessness, and the prevention of homelessness, is available free of charge to any person in their district. The Homeless Act 2002 Placed a duty upon Local Authorities to publish a Homeless Strategy setting out the local authority’s plans for the prevention of homelessness.

Prevention Focused Approach Early intervention: Identification of those at risk Provision of services to support the person and their environment before problems or disputes escalate beyond repair  Pre-crisis intervention: Mediation, advice services, negotiation with landlords to avoid imminent loss of a home Targeted support to high risk areas those leaving local authority care,

Homeless Prevention prison leavers, armed forces hospital and mental health facility discharge Preventing re-occurrence: Tenancy sustainment is key to preventing the re-occurrence of homelessness, where problems exist that cannot be resolved by re-housing alone. ODPM (2003b)

Homeless Prevention- Priority areas In 2011/12 the top five reasons for the loss of settled accommodation were :- Loss of rented accommodation 23% Asked to leave by parents 18% Mortgage arrears (repossession) 10% Relationship breakdown 12% Sofa surfing/no fixed abode 13%

Targeted Homeless Prevention Assistance to access the private rented sector Young Persons Pathway Mediation and resettlement Re-connection service Tenancy and outreach support Pre-action protocol Mortgage Rescue Scheme/Repossession Fund Support to those suffering financial hardship Advice and assistance-accessibility Support to offenders and prison releases Support to rough sleepers, single homeless

Areas for improvement  Partnership building – Securing the collaboration of local partner services –Health, Education, Mental Health, Housing Providers, Voluntary Sector, Adult Services, Drug and Alcohol Services.  Audit and analysis – mapping routes into risk of homelessness and repeat homelessness, identifying opportunities for early intervention and rapid preventative action, and identifying gaps in local services and safety nets  Action planning – identifying key steps to take to remodel services, commission new services and ensure prevention  Review - monitoring progress, audit and analysis using the Homeless Forum and Homeless Strategy Action Plan.

Homelessness Forum Questions Contact details: Angela Lamonte, Homelessness Team Leader, Tel ,