INTERIM

HOMELESS STRATEGY

2014

“Bigger, better, brighter Corby– Working together to improve housing

opportunitiesfor the peopleof the Borough”

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CORBY BOROUGH COUNCIL - HOUSING STRATEGY 2014January 2014

Neighbourhood Pride Services

CORBY INTERIM HOMELESS STRATEGY 2014

Lead Members Prologue:

Corby Borough Council considers homelessness to be a serious issue and has identified resolving homelessness as a key priority within its corporate agenda. We are proud of the pro-active work we do that is aimed at reducing and preventing homelessness within Corby and will continue to strive for improvement within this area.

To achieve these aims, close working relationships with our partners and service users are imperative. We already have a robust foundation of partnership working from which to build on but the involvement of local communities is crucial to the success and improvement of the service both now and in the future.

This document is a statement of position and intent with relation to where Corby Borough Council is currently and how it intends to deal with homelessness, not only in its borough boundaries but also how it currently and will fit in with regional and national agendas.

Councillor Bob Eyles, Lead Member for Housing

Current Position

Due to major changes within Government relating to the implementation of the Localism Act 2011 and the effects this will have on the way local authorities deal with their homelessness duty Corby Borough Council is maintaining and interim strategy for homelessness whilst it consults stakeholders regarding these changes and their impacts. As part of this process, CBC has also taken the decision to merge the Homelessness Strategy into its Housing Strategy. This will be done with two purposes in mind; the overarching Housing Strategy already contains homelessness as a subject, thereby duplicating priorities and actions and by inclusion into the Housing Strategy will have the impact of reducing duplication and strengthening the vision, action and resources needed to tackle this issue. However, during the consultation and production of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy for 2013/18, the Housing Options Team, will employ continued and consistent processes for the crucial work of dealing with homelessness issues, including the prevention of homelessness and having an interim strategywhilst going through this process is key to ensuring that the successful work on homelessness prevention and resolution will not be negatively impacted upon.

Extensive work has gone into a formal review of homelessness in Corby and when completed will be used to inform the formal strategy which is intended to cover the period of 2014 to 2019, with a review process built in to keep the strategy current and allow it to be a practical working and live document.

Next Steps

The homeless review still has goals to achieve before it can be used to inform strategy. Included in this documentis a chart which shows the progress of the review so far and what is yet to be done.

Therefore this document is intended to be an interim bridging strategy that will satisfy legislation, deal with homeless and prevention priorities locally, regionally and nationally and is a core information basis to support the 2014 -2019Housing and Homeless Strategy.

How we are doing

The Housing Options Team is part of the wider Neighbourhood Pride Services Department within Corby Borough Council. The team are responsible for providing advice on a full range of housing options to resolve housing need, including homelessness. The team is structured in such a way that it can put its main focus on the prevention of homelessness. The Housing Option Advisors have an extensive knowledge of the tools available to resolve any housing need.

Their achievement and success is shown through rigorous monitoring both locally and nationally. The following is a list of the performance indicators used to measure the effectiveness of the service:

National indicator adopted by the Local Strategic Partnership – collected monthly and reported quarterly:

  • NI 156 = Number of households living in temporary accommodation (snapshot).

National Indicators set by Government – collected monthly and reported quarterly:

  • P1E – Section E1 = Applicant households for which decisions were taken
  • P1E – Section E1a = Repeat homeless from E1
  • P1E – Section E1a1 = (new section during 2012/13) Decisions on households owed the re-application duty under s195a
  • P1E – Section E1b = Age breakdown of applicants in E1 that were eligible, un-intentional and priority need
  • P1E – Section E2 = Analysis of household typeof applicants in E1 that were eligible, un-intentional and priority need
  • P1E – Section E3 = Main reason for loss of last settled home for applicant households found to be eligible, unintentionally homeless and in priority need.
  • P1E – Section E4 = Referrals between authorities and applicant households accepted with no local connection anywhere.
  • P1E – Section E5 = Immediate outcome where applicant household found to be eligible, unintentionally homeless and priority need.
  • P1E – Section E6 = Applicant households accommodated by the authority
  • P1E – Section E6a = Analysis of household type of Applicant households accommodated by the authority
  • P1E – Section E7 = Applicant households for whom a main homeless duty was ended and who immediately prior to the duty being ended, were living in (a) the accommodation from which they were accepted, or (b) in temporary accommodation they had arranged themselves (commonly referred to as homeless at home).
  • P1E – Section E8 = is no longer collected.
  • P1E – Section E9 = Applicant households for which decisions were taken – Foreign Nationals and UK nationals from abroad.
  • P1E – Section E10 = All cases where positive action was successful in preventing / relieving homelessness

Key Local Performance Indicators:

  • NPHOT 1 & 2 =refusals as a % of offers made
  • NPHOT 3 = cumulative total of Deposit Bonds
  • NPHOT 4a = the average length of stay in Temporary Accommodation in days
  • NPHOT 5 = total number households who considered themselves as homeless who approached the local housing authority's advice service(s) & for whom housing casework intervention resolved their situation
  • NPHOT 6 = total number of homeless applications taken within the month

The data below shows the comparisons over the last 5 years, with the most current data in the last column to show improvement or decline so far (each years run from 1st April to 31st March):

Performance Indicator / 2009/10 / 2010/11 / 2011/12 / 2012/13 / 2013/14
NI 156 / 9 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8
NPHOT 1 & 2 / 29% / 32% / 32% / 24% / 23%
NPHOT 3 / Not collected / 23 / 57 / 57 / 33
NPHOT 4a / 7 weeks / 6 weeks / 43 days / 52 days / 50 days
NPHOT 5 / 384 / 428 / 592 / 709 / 665
NPHOT 6 / 62 / 71 / 85 / 68 / 81

Note: The RED, AMBER, GREEN rating on the final column has been used to give an at a glance view of how we have done based on the previous years data. Red indicates a decline needing immediate action, Amber indicates a minor decline requiring action in time and Green indicates improvement.

Our Partners

In 2006 we set up, facilitate and ran the Homeless Operational Focus Group (HOFG). It is a group of organisations directly involved in dealing with homeless issues or representing homeless service users. Attached at Appendix A is a copy of the contact details, members’ directory and terms of reference for the group. The group meets bi-annually with additional meetings arranged for special projects and consultation events, and together deals with the issues and working practices that we all share in regards to dealing with and preventing homelessness in the Corby area. This group will have a main feature within the homeless review.

The table below is the working document for the Housing Options Team and shows how we deal with our homeless priorities. These priorities have been set as a result of team discussions and consultation with the HOFG partners. These priorities not only address local need but have the strands of regional and national priorities reflected within:

OBJECTIVE 1: PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcomes / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
1.1a / Record and increase the number of cases of homelessness we prevent through home visits and other interventions / Continuation in reduction of homelessness using advice casework and homelessness tools
Target set annually and reported via Covalent under NPHOT5 / Housing Options Manager (HOM)/CLG / All Partners / Ongoing
Monitored Quarterly / Actual for 2013/14 = 665, 44 cases down on the previous year. This is not an unexpected result as welfare reform is having a detrimental impact on cases and resources
1.1d / Health check on services to ensure “Fit for purpose”
Benchmark against P1E and county homeless group
Analysis of demand/client groups
Review all areas
Front line analysis
Review all literature
Website review / Service improvements / HOM/In-house, County Homeless Group, Housemark
OSS
HOM/In-house / All Partners / Ongoing
Ongoing / All areas completed 2009/10 but remains ongoing
Recent corporate changes have been made to the site.
Floating/Tenancy Support /Supported Accommodation
1.3b / Maximise use of DHP for eligible claimants from Housing Benefit
SPOC and internal agreements / Prevention of homelessness in cases of rent arrears / HOM/HB / Housing Benefits / Ongoing / Contact made with SPOC – procedureset
1.3c / Strengthen partnership with CAN to provide tenancy support and supported housing to those affected by drug/alcohol misuse including a move on protocol / Minimise evictions from accommodation due to drug/alcohol misuse / HOM/In-house / CAN / Ongoing / Protocol in place
1.3d / Support implementation of PHaSE project
Supported housing for clients on Tier 2 recovery programme
Establish working protocol / Prevent homelessness for clients leaving rehabilitation and support move on to independent living / HOM/DAAT/CAN/Orbit / DAAT
SP
Treatment Provider / Complete, now being monitored under prevention / 5 properties/
6 month to 2 year stay with move on protocol
1.3e / Strengthen partnership with EdenPark to provide supported housing to young mothers/families, pregnant and or with children including a move on protocol / Prevent homelessness for young pregnant mothers/families with support needs / HOM/In-house / EdenPark
LHA / Ongoing / Protocol in place
1.3g / Strengthen partnership with Corby Borough Council owned supported housing
and Dispersed Hostels / Relieve homelessness for all residents / HOM/CBC Support Services / Support Services / Ongoing / Ongoing
1.3h / Review protocol with Bridgewood Hostel, Northamptonshire for ex-offenders / Prevent homelessness for bail hostel residents and support move on to independent living / HOM/MAPPA Working Party / Probation
NBC
MAPPA / Ongoing / Completed March 2010
Mediation
1.4b / Mediation with families/friends in dispute / Prevent homelessness due to family/friend evictions / HOM/In-house / Housing Options Team / Ongoing / All training of staff completed January 2010, Mediation completed when required
1.4c / Engage in family mediation to assist in residents of institutions to return to the family home / Prevent homelessness for ex-offenders, hospital discharges and care leavers / HOM/In-house / Probation
Prison Resettlement Teams
Hospitals
Social Services / Ongoing / Tool in place and ongoing
Home Visits
1.4d / Home visit all RSL tenants at risk of losing their home for breach of tenancy / Prevent evictions from RSL properties / HOM/RSL Partnership Working Group / All RSL’s / Ongoing / In place from April 2010
1.4e / Home visit all cases involving family/friend relationship breakdowns / Prevent homelessness due to family/friend evictions / HOM/In-house / Housing Options Team / Ongoing / In place from April 2010
1.4f / Home visit all LA tenants at risk of losing their home for breach of tenancy / Reduce evictions from LA properties / HOM/In-house / Landlord Services / Ongoing / In place from April 2010
1.4g / Home visit all private sector tenants at risk of losing their home for breach of tenancy / Prevent homelessness for to private sector evictions / HOM/In-house / Landlords Forum/
Accredited landlords / Ongoing / In place from 2010
Spend to Save/ Rent Deposit Scheme/Prevention Grants
1.5a / Create and run Deposit Bond Scheme / Prevent homelessness and provide a viable housing options to intentionally homeless / HOM/In-house / HOTL/DBO / Ongoing / Running since July 2010
1.5b / Review proposal for debt counselling and court desk / Prevent homelessness due to financial difficulties / HOM/In-house / Welfare Rights / Ongoing / Reviewed annually
1.5e / Develop grant principles for the new Repossession Fund awarded for 2009/10 (28,500) / Prevent homelessness to those in financial difficulties and at risk of being repossessed / HOM/CLG / Housing Options Team
CLG / Ongoing / Completed December 2009
OBJECTIVE 2 : TACKLING THE WIDER CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF HOMELESS
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcomes / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
Worklessness - education, employment skills and school outreach
2.1b / Creating a directory of services and giving it to all relevant organisations and schools to ensure services are promoted / Educate on the effects of homelessness and how to prevent it – aimed at young persons, institutionalised and vulnerable adults / HOM / Job Centre Plus
Housing Benefit
Tresham
Volunteer Bureau
Connexions
YOT
Probation
Social Services
Others / August 2013
Training Stakeholders/Staff
2.3a / Utilise the HOFG to train stakeholders on homelessness prevention, the options available and how we administer applications. In the form of shadow training which is done on an ad-hoc basis as and when staff can fit in to their schedules and new staff arrive / Partners empowered to pass on up to date information about our Housing Options Service and all options available to prevent homelessness / HOM/In-house / All partners / Ongoing / Next training to be targeted to Allocations Policy 2013
Refresher every 2 years
OBJECTIVE 3: PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcomes / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
3.1b / Devise supporting information form to assist HB in deciding if LHA can be paid directly to landlord / Streamline process and assist HB in decision making. Assist vulnerable clients maintain their tenancies / HOM/In-house / CBC Housing Benefits / Ongoing / In place
3.1c / Introduce advocates in line with CBL to reach vulnerable client groups / Ensure equal access to the scheme / HOM/In-house / All partners / Ongoing / Training and procedures provided during the implementation of CBL – this is in place and ongoing for new advocates
Equalities & Diversity
3.3a / Customer insight. Measure the demand across diverse ethnic minority community groups for housing options. Ascertain high concentration areas for different needs/languages when communicating / Equal impact of Housing Options and prevention of homelessness regardless of ethnicity / HOM/In-house / Corby Community Partnership / Ongoing / Reports have been set up to be pulled of as and when required
3.3b / Monitor and assess the number of rough sleepers within the Borough on a yearly basis. Ascertain need for a rough sleepers count / To ensure that rough sleepers can receive help and support from the Housing Options Team / HOM/In-house / Community Safety / Ongoing / Monitored to ensure level is below 10. Reporting in place with Community Safety and agencies.
Offenders & Ex-Offenders
3.4c / Support Catch 22 with housing options for all supported housing residents / Assist in preventing homelessness for prolific offenders temporary housed in Catch 22 accommodation / HOM/In-house / Catch 22 / Ongoing / Protocol in place
Mental Health
3.6a / Identify the current provision and identify existing gaps for supported housing for those with mental health issues / Prevent homelessness through access to supported housing / HOM/In-house / Mental Health Team / Ongoing / Ongoing
Care Leavers
3.7a / Participate in the Young Persons protocol with Social, Care & Health / Comprehensive countrywide protocol for dealing with 16/17 year olds and care leavers.
Maximise housing options for this group and ensure good partnership working / HOM/County Homeless Operational Group / Social, Care & Health
Supporting People
Midland Heart
EdenPark / Ongoing / In place and annually reviewed
OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP PARTNERSHIP WORKING
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcome / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
4.1d / Joint working with Social Care & Health to assist intentionally homeless families / Streamlined processes with proactive work to prevent intentionally homeless families from leaving temporary accommodation with no move on accommodation / HOM/In-house / Social Care & Health / Ongoing / In place
4.1e / Joint working with Job Centre Plus in applying for Community Care Grants/Rent in Advance / Streamlined processes to assist homeless households move on / HOM/DWP / Job Centre Plus / Ongoing / Ongoing
OBJECTIVE 5: PROVIDE MORE SETTLED HOMES
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcomes / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
5.1a / Maintain a low number of households in temporary accommodation. Target is 50% reduction from 2004 by 2010 / Provide temporary accommodation for homeless household and support move on to settled homes / HOM/In-house, CLG / Landlord Services
Support Services / Ongoing / In place
5.1b / Participate in Landlords Forum and establish an Accredited Landlords Scheme to incorporate Choice Based Lettings and the Rent Deposit Scheme (Good landlord directory) / Strong working partnership with the private sector and enhance housing options by increasing landlords using RDS and CBL schemes / HOM/In-house / Landlords Forum
CAN / Dec 2014 / EQ still accredits landlords but a formal process will follow from the Localism Agenda changes to Homeless duty
5.1d / Devise protocol with Environmental Quality to provide comprehensive service to deal with threats of homelessness due to disrepair within the private sector / Take action against landlords for disrepair
Assist in banding/pointing applications for the housing list awarding priority where necessary to prevent homelessness / Senior Environmental Health Officer/In-house / Environmental Quality / Ongoing / In place
5.1e / Establish accredited HMO Directory / Assist in the prevention of homelessness for non-statutory homeless and those unsuccessful in obtaining a high deposit / HOM/In-house / Environmental Quality / Dec 2014
5.1f / Ensure sufficient “move on” from supported housing schemes. Conduct MOPP
(Move on Plans Protocol) / Increased levels of successful move-on from supported housing schemes / HOM/Midland Heart/In-house / Midland Heart
CBC Support Services
EdenPark
CAN / Ongoing / Done
5.1g / Analyse applicants on adaptations waiting list to promote transfer to currently adapted property which are low demand. / Prevent homelessness where a property becomes unsuitable due to disabilities / HOM/In-house / Technical Services
Occupational Health / Ongoing / This is still happening and has been reviewed in line with Localism Act’s effects
OBJECTIVE 6: CONTINUOUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
Ref. / Priority & Action / Milestones/Outcomes / Lead/
Resources / Partners / Target / Update
6.1a / Implement a sub-regional CBL scheme / To empower the customer in choosing their property and reduce refusals / CBL Project Worker/Housing Consortium/HRA / KBC
BC of W / Ongoing / Done Launched Nov 2010
6.1c / Introduce advice surgeries, awareness days, road shows, presentations, local community days / Increase awareness to housing options and prevention of homelessness and feedback how well we are doing / HOM/In-house / All partners / Ongoing / Most recent days were on the Housing Register and allocations policy changes as a result of Localism
6.1d / Carry out customer surveys for Housing Options. To include working practices, satisfaction and quality assessments / Test the quality of service, improve performance where appropriate, customer involvement and keeping the customers informed / HOM/In-house / All partners / Ongoing / HOT survey Sept 09
User group March 2010
6.1e / Convene 2 service user Focus Groups on the quality of services
Temporary accommodation residents
Socially excluded groups / Quality testing of services to implement improvements where identified / HOM/In-house / All partners / Ongoing
6.1j / Produce “Housing Options Pack” to incorporate, leaflets, access information, feedback information to customers relating to performance and survey forms / One pack to suit all diverse client groups ensuring feedback and customer involvement / HOM/CLG / All partners / Ongoing / Available now reviewed annually

Other Ideas to be developed: