1. Pan-London Umbrella Support Project (PLUS)
December 2017
Let’s end homelessness together

2. Legal context: changes
Prevention duty
Duty to take ‘reasonable steps to help the applicant to secure that accommodation does not cease to be available’ (s.4)
Eligible applicants who remain or become homeless then move on to the relief duty
Relief duty
Duty to take ‘reasonable steps to help the applicant to secure that suitable accommodation becomes available’ (s.5)
- If applicant deliberately and unreasonably refuses to cooperate - Priority need applicants may move on to the main duty if they remain homeless after 56 days
Main duty
Existing Section 193 HA 96 duty to ‘secure that accommodation is available for occupation by the applicant.’
Priority need applicants only, but can be excluded
- Deliberately and unreasonably refused to cooperate – in this case they are still entitled to a ‘final offer’ of a 6 month private sector tenancy. -
Offer of settled accommodation:
(i) minimum 12 month approved `private rented sector offer’ or
(ii) offer of social housing.
Two new duties bolted onto the front of the existing safety net

3. Legal context: changes
A new duty to prevent homelessness for all eligible applicants threatened with homelessness.
A new duty to relieve homelessness for all eligible homeless applicants.
An extension of the period during which an authority should treat some people as threatened with homelessness from 28 to 56 days.
A new duty on public services to notify a local authority if they come into contact with someone they think may be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
A new Code of Guidance: offers some guidance on Modern Slavery (Chapt 25)

4. Code of Guidance
If threatened or homelessness – increased risk of modern slavery/trafficking
Particular care to children - relationship with any purported guardian
Victims of modern slavery and trafficking - PART 7 – assessment of priority need or vulnerability
Alert Adult or Children Social Services
Duty to notify National Referral Mechanism
Support via National Referral Mechanism but joint working with housing authorities for suitable accommodation
Homelessness applications and interviews – appropriate approach
TA where priority need/vulnerable – work with specialist support agencies
Suitable accommodation: case by case, gender specific and out of area

5. Vulnerability
Housing authorities should ensure that staff have an awareness of the possibility that applicants may be victims of trafficking or of modern slavery, and are able to assess whether or not they are vulnerable as a result.
section 189(1)(c) of the 1996 Act.

6. Vulnerability
A person has a priority need for accommodation if they are vulnerable as a result of:
a. old age;
b. Mental illness or learning disability or physical disability;
c. having been looked after, accommodated or fostered and is aged 21 or more;
d. having been a member of Her Majesty’s regular naval, military or air forces;
e. having been in custody ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence from another person or
f. threats of violence from another person which are likely to be carried out; or any other special reason.

7. Vulnerability
It is a matter of judgement whether the applicant’s circumstances make them vulnerable
The housing authority should determine whether, if homeless, the applicant would be significantly more vulnerable than an ordinary person would be if they became homeless
The assessment must be a composite one taking into account all of the relevant facts and circumstances
Consideration of the impact of homelessness on the applicant when compared to an ordinary person

8. Vulnerability
Consider what services and support available from a third party, including their family
What are the needs of the applicant,
The level of support being provided to them,
Whether with such support they would or would not be significantly more vulnerable than an ordinary person if homeless.
Is the support provided on a consistent and predictable basis.
In assessing vulnerability housing authorities must be mindful of the Equality Act 2010 and their public sector equality duties towards people who have a protected characteristic.

9. Further Information Leaflets, website, twitter, email
Leaflets – take to London meetings
Leaflets, website, twitter,
Let’s end homelessness together

10. What we do Homeless Link www.homeless.org.uk
Homeless Link is the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless or who live with multiple and complex support needs. We work to improve services and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and secure a sustainable future for supported housing.
Homeless Link
Minories House, 2-5 Minories, London EC3N 1BJ
Facebook:
© Homeless Link All rights reserved.
Homeless Link is a charity no and a company no
Let’s end homelessness together

11. Training suggestions Who Training Type/Level Area/Subject
Likely to have contact (non housing professionals of Council)
Webinars
Podcasts
Homelessness – Introduction
HRA changes
Types of prevention
When and how to signpost/refer
Homelessness and social welfare advisers/officers and teams
Prevention & HRA – Introduction – face to face
Prevention & HRA Advanced – face to face
Existing prevention duties
HRA: types of prevention work
PHPs
Incl. data monitoring
More prevention case studies
Detail of new CoP and Guidance
Legal teams
As above
Reviews & Challenges
Review duties and challenges to decisions including failure to cooperate decisions (tbd)
Other OVAs/partners
Webinar or Prevention & HRA – Introduction – face to face

12. Training suggestions Who Training Type/Level Area/Subject
Likely to have contact (non housing professionals of Council)
n/a
Homelessness and social welfare advisers/officers and teams
Basic/Advanced face to face
Skills
Eligibility
Maximising Income
DV Awareness
Effective Casework Management
Developing your Advising and Interviewing Skills
Working with People with Multiple Needs
Maintaining Customer Focus
Skills for Managing Client Expectations and Giving Advice
Legal teams
Other OVAs/partners