Lessons Learned: Funding Access to Private Rented Housing #rentevent

Crisis Private Rented Sector Access Development Programme £10.8m funding from DCLG Ran from 2010 – March 2014 Funded 153 schemes in 144 local authorities Cross section of client groups but all single homeless 8,128 tenancies created 90% sustainment rate at 6 months £13.5m saved by R2 and R3 schemes in one quarter

Programme aims To increase the number and geographic spread of access work To encourage the creation of sustainable tenancies To create sustainable schemes Crisis to act as a supportive funder Introduce an element of payment by results

Evaluation Dr Julie Rugg, making use of her expertise in the field Analysis of data, scheme survey and face-to-face interviews Introduction Programme principles Programme management Funding rounds and outcomes Programme outcomes

Lessons learned: landlords Access schemes are effective partners for small and medium-sized portfolios, particularly shared lets Access schemes are effective at setting up and supporting longer-term tenancies Services are tailored to the landlord and tenant needs, with schemes acting as ‘honest brokers’

Lessons learned: schemes There can be difficulties rolling out service delivery beyond original ‘home’ local authority Thought should be given to ongoing professional development for access scheme workers Success in tenancy creation creates workload over time in terms of tenancy sustainment Create a robust framework for the collection of performance data

Lessons learned: organisations considering this work There is considerable support available if looking to enter this area of work Access work does not need capital investment There is no one-model-fits-all, though a holistic service including pre-tenancy training and post tenancy support is important Finding the right person to deliver the scheme is paramount

Lessons learned: local authorities Create as benign a context as possible for scheme operation Local authorities could be clearer about how they consider issues such as value for money and match funding when commissioning Programme work has influenced the Gold Standard programme

Lessons learned: DCLG Service delivery can take place effectively through working with the voluntary sector Supporting better access to PRS is effective homelessness prevention It is possible to demonstrate the cost savings of access work across broader local statutory service delivery Local authorities’ strategic engagement with voluntary agencies working with the PRS is vital

And for Crisis… We are able to balance being a support agency and a funder Schemes value access to staff support, online tools and light-touch monitoring Regional events are also very useful Schemes were sometimes unclear about the purpose of project visits Reiterate the purpose of programme principles An element of outcomes payments can work

Panel London Panel Helen Watson, Causeway Irish Housing Association (London) David George CAB WHABAC (Worcestershire) Chris Coffey Porchlight (Kent) Mark McPherson Homeless Link Bridget Young Crisis Leeds Panel Jon Wood, Framework (Newark) Ruari Martin, Foundation (Leeds) Lesley Howard, Crime Reduction Initiatives (Leeds)

Next Steps and Lessons Learned We are able to balance being a support agency and a funder Schemes value access to staff support, online tools and light-touch monitoring Regional events are also very useful We need to be clearer about the purpose of project visits and to engage delivery staff early on Reiterate the purpose of programme principles An element of outcomes payments can work

Next Steps and Lessons Learned Supporting 43 schemes with funding Supporting unfunded schemes Sharing Solutions Housing Coach Renting Ready Single Homelessness Funding Supply, supply, supply –New Developments –Conversions –Empty Homes –Making best use of Social Housing

Contact Contact the Crisis Housing Team at Visit