1. National Homelessness Advice Service Programme
Vicky Hines – Partnership Manager

2. NHAS background
Repossessions 80s/90s – Government concerns re advice provided
Service running for over 22 yrs
NHAS Partnership – Shelter and Citizens Advice
DCLG Funded - Free services and resources
Audiences – LAs, CABx and Voluntary Agencies

3. NHAS programme – free services and resources
Consultancy Line
Training
Housing debt casework (inc second tier)
Online and best practice resources

4. Consultancy Line – 9am to 8pm Mon to Fri (plus email access)
Extended opening time
Advisors – Access to Legal team support
Averaging 1100 calls per mth and 50 s [to phone back]
87% cases homeless prevention or positive outcome
70% LA used, 59% CAB, 52% OVAs plus 54 SSDs
95% COA 3 days, high good or excellent rating, more confident
Top Queries – eligibility, homelessness, s21 notices

5. Training Full day - Face to face courses
Half day/Briefing sessions – Face to face courses
Webinars
Bitesize programme
Trainer’s discussion forum

6. Training - courses
Advising and Assisting Non-Priority Homeless Clients
Basic Mortgage Debt Advice for Local Authority Staff
Housing Advice for Housing Options Staff
Persons from Abroad and Housing Options
Relationship Breakdown, Domestic Violence and Homelessness Prevention
Welfare Reform for Occupiers in Rented Accommodation
Young People: Homelessness and Housing Options

7. Training - Webinars
Assured Shorthold Tenancies: Section 21 Notices – an overview
S21s notices – new tenancies post 1st Oct 2015
Non Priority Clients: Assistance and Prevention – What’s happening in your area?
Persons from Abroad and changes to benefit entitlement
Preventing Mortgage Repossessions
Spare Room Subsidy
Advice on Tenancy Deposits
Vulnerability
Right to Rent

8. Housing Debt Casework inc second tier and welfare benefit
Access to the service is made via the Consultancy Line
Mortgage debt cases from early stage arrears to possession and warrant stage
Welfare benefit cases, where the welfare benefit issue impacts on housing affordability
Some rent arrears cases
2nd tier support and case work –

9. Online and best practice
E Bulletins
Housing Matters
updates on website eg Legal updates
Improving Outcomes for Young People & NHAS website
Links into wider Shelter
Local Practice