P1E Homelessness prevention Seminar 17 th June 2010 Jim Crawshaw Specialist Advisor

Introduction AGENDA 09.45Arrival, coffee 10.00Welcome and Introductions 10.10Prevention Presentation Coffee Break 11.15Questions & Discussion session – good practice 12.00Close

Introduction First annual statistical release of data from section E10 of the P1E relating to homelessness prevention and relief in England for 2008/09 was published on 27 November 2009 Authorities had previously collected data on prevention activity for Best Value Performance Indicator 213. However BVP 213 restricted the recording of cases those only where the local authority have provided assistance, section E10 of P1E allows data to be collected from partner agencies where casework action prevented or relieved homelessness Communities and Local Government encourages local authorities to offer prevention assistance to everyone who considers themselves to be at risk of homelessness Additional authorities are also encouraged to offer assistance to relieve homelessness for those who are not owed a duty under homelessness legislation

Total reported cases of homelessness prevention and relief, 2008/09

Response rate (local authorities returns), 2008/09

Outcome of homelessness prevention and relief, 2008/09

Cases assisted to obtain alternative accommodation

Cases able to remain in existing home

Data source and quality Response rates of full or partial data of 93%, Full returns were completed by 90% of local authorities 300 authorities submitted full returns and only 11 authorities did not submit any data Partial information was reported by some authorities due to (i)no distinction between prevention and relief, (ii) no breakdowns by type of prevention and relief, or (iii) information on only some types of prevention and relief Possible under reporting due to some authorities not establishing recording systems for their own cases and that of case work from partner organisations Consistency in reporting between local authorities due to differences in interpretation across authorities of what data to record and how

What is being recorded? The number of cases where, following an application for assistance from a household who considered themselves to be at risk of homeless in the near future the authority and/or a partner organisation took positive action and : E10 (1A) homelessness was prevented and the household was able to remain in the existing home E10 (1B) homelessness was prevented or relieved through assistance to obtain alternative accommodation, or E10 (2) the positive action (intervention) was unsuccessful. Broadly speaking, these cases concern households: who applied for housing assistance to a local housing authority (or a partner organisation of a local housing authority) who considered themselves to be at risk of homelessness in the near future, and for whom homelessness was either prevented or relieved as a result of casework intervention by the local authority and/or a partner organisation. Cases where intervention was provided but was unsuccessful are also recorded.

Prevention and Law Local authorities are reminded that where someone approaches a local housing authority for housing assistance the authority must by law consider whether they have reason to believe that the person may be homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days (see section 183 of the Housing Act 1996) and, if so, must make inquiries to determine whether any duty is owed under Part VII of the 1996 Act. Authorities cannot defer consideration of whether there is reason to believe while they arrange assistance to prevent homelessness - but they can take positive action to prevent homelessness in parallel with making Part VII inquiries.

When can a case be recorded as prevented? A case would be recorded as prevented in the following circumstances; Applicant not likely to become homeless within 28 days but considers himself at risk of homelessness in near future Applicant likely to become homeless within 28 days Applicant may be homeless (but not reason to believe may be eligible and/or in priority need) Applicant may be homeless, eligible and in priority need Applicant is eligible, unintentionally threatened with homelessness and in priority need (only where intervention enables applicant to remain in own home) Applicant is eligible, unintentionally threatened with homelessness and not in priority need Applicant is eligible and threatened with homelessness intentionally (whether in priority need or not)

When can a case be recorded as relived? A case would be recorded a relieved in the following circumstances; Applicant is eligible, unintentionally homeless and not in priority need Applicant is eligible, intentionally homeless and in priority need Applicant is eligible, intentionally homeless and not in priority need Generally, casework intervention can be recorded as homelessness prevention or homelessness relief only in circumstances where the positive action taken is not discharging a statutory duty. Local authorities are reminded that they must not defer meeting their statutory obligations (e.g. to make inquiries and notify the applicant of their decision) while they try to prevent homelessness.

What constitutes case work intervention? An authority should record cases as ‘prevented’, ‘relieved’ or ‘unsuccessful’ only where positive action through casework intervention has taken place with the aim of preventing or relieving homelessness. Casework intervention is assistance provided on a casework basis over and above general advice and information There must be a file-based case recording. The following does not count as casework intervention: Xaction taken to discharge a duty to secure accommodation; Xaction taken to discharge a duty to secure that an applicant is provided with advice and assistance in any attempts he may make to secure accommodation Xwhere assistance is limited to the provision of generic advice provided on an ad hoc basis - for example, via a reception desk or telephone service - or where the local authority simply provide an information leaflet and advise the applicant to approach another agency

When can you record prevention work undertaken by partner agencies a partner organisation is any organisation which is assisting the local authority in tackling and preventing homelessness and is either : - funded by the local authority to assist it in tackling and preventing homelessness E.G - An independent housing advice services (such as CAB or Shelter) funded by the local authority to help discharge its section 179(1) duty to ensure advice and information is available; -an organisation to which the local authority refers clients for assistance to help prevent that person becoming homeless E.G- partner organisations (whether or not funded by the local authority) providing services such as mediation, debt advice, court advocacy, crisis intervention support, and Sanctuary schemes to which the local authority refer applicant households who consider they are at risk of homelessness

Examples of positive action that can be taken to help someone remain in their existing accommodation to prevent homelessness Mediation using external or internal trained family mediators Conciliation including home visits for family friend threatened exclusion Financial payments from a homeless prevention fund to enable someone to remain in the existing home Debt advice Resolving housing benefit problems Resolving rent or service charge arrears in the social or private rented sector Sanctuary scheme measures for domestic violence Crisis intervention - providing emergency support Negotiation or legal advocacy to ensure someone can remain in accommodation in the private rented sector Providing other assistance that will enable someone to remain in accommodation in the private or social rented sector Mortgage arrears interventions or mortgage rescue

Examples of positive action that can be taken to secure alternative accommodation to prevent or relieve homelessness any form of hostel or HMO with or without support private rented sector accommodation with landlord incentive scheme private rented sector accommodation without landlord incentive scheme accommodation arranged with friends or relatives supported accommodation including supported lodging schemes management move of an existing LA tenant Part 6 offer of LA own accommodation or nomination to an RSL negotiation with an RSL outside Part 6 nomination arrangements low cost Home Ownership scheme or low cost market housing solution

When should it be recorded on the P1E as a successful outcome The point where a case should be recorded for P1E purposes as prevented, relieved or unsuccessful is the point where a decision has been taken that the client’s accommodation has been secured and is likely to be sustainable for at least 6 months, that decision has been confirmed by the second caseworker. The decision taken is therefore looking at the prospect of success; caseworkers should not defer recording outcomes until it is clear whether the accommodation has actually been sustained for 6 months. Nor is there any requirement to review outcomes at the 6 month period to check whether the accommodation has actually been sustained.

What is a successful outcome? Successful outcomes occur where positive action provided on a casework intervention basis has prevented or relieved homelessness and it is likely that the accommodation available to the applicant as a result of the intervention will be sustainable for a period of at least 6 months. This applies to cases where homelessness has been either prevented or relieved For the case to be recorded as successful, there must be verification by a senior officer (or other adviser not directly involved in the case) that the accommodation secured as a result of the intervention is expected to subsist for a minimum of 6 months.

Guidance on how to record section E10 of P1E Guidance was first published in April 2008, revised guidance was published December The new guidance does not replace the original guidance, but does expand on it The new guidance is divided into three sections; Supplementary guidance Frequently asked questions Table showing when assistance is homelessness prevention or homelessness relief The new guidance covers in full the following; Which households are candidates for homelessness prevention or relief When should a case be recorded as homelessness prevented When should a case be recorded as homelessness relieved When should a case be recorded as intervention unsuccessful What is meant by ‘casework intervention’ How to determine and monitor outcomes What is meant by partner agencies

Questions?