Homelessness in Middlesbrough 30 April 2015 Sharon Caddell

Overview Homeless law and councils Service Delivery Initial Housing Advice Definition and legal tests Causes, vulnerability and local connection Preventing homelessness Working with partners Local data

Background The groundbreaking Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977, for the first time put a duty on local authorities to house homeless families and others in priority need (Cathy Come Home, ex-service personnel) Today the 1977 Act still stands at the heart of homelessness policy, and has been amended and updated in subsequent Acts: Housing Act 1996 (Part 7); and, Homelessness Act 2002.

Housing Act 1996, Part 7 Main homeless duty: Law states Local Authorities must assist families / individuals who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, and certain duties/ powers are conferred upon it To provide a free, locally responsive and constantly available service must be made available (interview systems can be operated) The service must provide advice and assistance, and interventions to clients who present as homeless (or threatened with it)

Service delivery arrangement Contracted out service, delivered by Thirteen Group – provides the local authority ‘safety net’ to those without a roof River’s House is local office– integrated service approach, with housing allocations and support Function remains the responsibility of the local authority, therefore regular monitoring/ dialogue takes place

Homeless advice and assistance Available to anyone, resident in the district Can be direct brokerage (e.g. referrals into supported housing schemes, private accommodation, CAB, Court duty schemes) Can use homeless prevention initiatives (e.g. Homeless Prevention Fund, Sanctuary Scheme) Can advise on rights and correct procedures (private sector disrepair and illegal evictions) Can signpost to specialised support agencies (My Sister’s Place, Community Campus, SECOS)

Definition of homelessness (within 28 days) Having no home in the UK or anywhere else in the world Having no home that can be lived in together with immediate family Being only able to stay in current accommodation on a very temporary basis Not having permission to live in current accommodation (e.g. squatting) Having been locked out of home and not being allowed back Not being able to live at home because of violence or abuse or threats of violence or abuse, which are likely to be carried out It isn't reasonable to stay in current home for any reason (e.g. if it’s in very poor condition) Not being able to afford to stay in current accommodation Living in a moveable structure (e.g. caravan/ houseboat) and not having anywhere to put it.

Causes of Homelessness Relationship breakdown Fleeing violence, for instance, Domestic Violence Parents asking children to leave (16 / 17 year olds) Tenants given Notice to Quit Having been evicted illegally Armed Forces leavers Granted leave to remain Overcrowding Moveable structures Emergencies Fires Floods Affordability Landlord repossession Leaving tied accommodation Prison and hospital leavers Care leavers

When is a homeless duty owed? The law says a local authority has a homeless duty when a household has met these five test: Eligibility Reason to believe homeless In priority need (if this is established, applicant can be provided with temporary accommodation) Unintentionally homeless Local connection Homeless applicants must fulfil each of these steps in order to be considered at the next step. Apart from duties, there are powers to assist vulnerable people, and in line with policy direction, most Las work to help the non-priority homeless people in their boroughs also

Priority Need – legal vulnerability Households with dependants Those vulnerable due to: Old age Mental health or disability Physical disability 16 / 17 year olds Former Looked After Children Those who have been institutionalised e.g. ex-service personnel, prison and hospital dischargees Fleeing violence Other special reasons, rendering person more vulnerable than others in same circumstances) Former asylum seeker Learning disabilities Drugs / alcohol issues Sleeping rough At risk of abuse (Not a panacea approach – law requires enquiries and an assessment to be made)

Temporary Accommodation The duty to provide temporary accommodation (TA) is triggered if there is reason to believe (not necessarily evidence) the applicant is: Eligible literally roofless in priority need Or in severe weather conditions Forms of temporary accommodation: Nightstops Crashpads Hostel/ supported accommodation Bed and breakfast accommodation The LA can assist with storage of personal belongings, if required. Rough sleepers provision – No Second Night Out

Local Connection Applicant can fulfil this by virtue of having lived in the borough: 6 out of the last 12 months, or 3 out of the last 5 years. Or, the applicant is employed, in training or education in the area, or close family lives in the area. There are also special circumstances: Applicant may not be able to return to another borough (fleeing violence) Applicant has no connection to any borough

Preventing Homelessness - Why? Cost of dealing with single homeless application - £3,000+ Not always the most suitable or timely process to help applicants Temporary accommodation acknowledged to have detrimental effect upon health and well-being Human cost Resources to enable prevention: Several funded initiatives in Middlesbrough: Homeless prevention fund Social lettings agency

Homelessness Forum Middlesbrough Council chairs a quarterly Homelessness Forum Attended by a range of statutory, voluntary sector, faith based and private organisations Discuss trends, current issues, carry out consultation, invite guest speakers etc. Maintain circulation list for information and practice sharing

Middlesbrough picture Very few rough sleepers (5) High amount of private sector Houses in Multiple Occupation Prevalence of threatened homelessness (debt, family breakdown) Insecurity of housing issues (domestic violence, sofa surfing) New requests for homeless advice and assistance: 1500 per annum 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Service requests 1835 1780 1503 1442 Homeless Applications 174 148 164 149 Statutory duty accepted* (80% due to domestic violence) 87 63 77 74 Temporary Accommodation Placements 14 9 1 Homeless Prevented 402 513 589 489

Contact details Thirteen Homeless Team, 08000 461 600 Rivers House, 63 North Ormesby, M’Bro Emergency Duty Team, 01642 726050 (out of hours service)