1. Homelessness in Middlesbrough
30 April 2015
Sharon Caddell

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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