Saying NO to repeat homelessness; reducing evictions & abandonments

1. Saying NO to repeat homelessness; reducing evictions & abandonments Homeless Link Annual Conference 10th July Anna Maudsley - Leicester YMCA

2. Contents • Quick Introduction of Leicester YMCA • How to reduce unplanned moves • Alternative methods to warnings in response to behaviour • Ensuring Language & Practice support change and enable positive move on • Preventing & Managing arrears

3. Quick Introduction of Leicester YMCA • Largest VSC provider in city • Single homeless 16 – 25 • 91 bed-spaces across 4 sites • Main building underwent £4m capital refurb. 2010/11 • Y-POD Big Lottery £1m funded project for care leavers & young offenders • Multi-use building

4. 1. How to reduce unplanned moves

5. So how did we do it? • In 2005/6 main focus on KPI’s • Void & Debt Management • SLAs with CYPS / YOS • Housing Vision! • Service review started with refurbishment

6. 2. Language & Practice • Supported Accommodation not Hostel • Move On not Eviction: We are committed to ensuring we don’t move young people back out onto the streets. • Positive • Planned • Emergency • Bags not refuse sacks

7. Alternative Provider within pathway Stage 3 – Move on; East Street; Flats x 13 Move On House; 2 x 4 bed East Street Provision Stage 1 – Assessment (6 Bed Clusters x 2) Stage 2 - Progress; East Street 16 – 25 (4 Bed clusters) Aylestone 18 - 25 Stage 3 – Move on; East Street; Flats x 13 Move on house; 2 x 4 bed Referral into provision via current model – ultimately via Single Access & Referral Point (LCC Homeless Pathway). Fig. 2: The Y’s internal pathway

8. 3. Arrears; preventing & managing • Introduction of Support worker with lead responsibility for financial independence • Monthly updates to residents • Next Steps briefing to newly employed residents 2007 – 2009 debt levels between £200 - £1200 in one site alone. Now: debt is £450 across 2 sites

9. 4. Alternative methods to warnings Support Intervention Process

10. 5. Recap

11. 6. Quotes from our Residents “I feel secure that I won’t be left with nothing” “ I feel like I am spoken to & treated like an adult here”. “..makes me feel a lot better, if I had to use black bags [to move] I would feel stupid” “ [S.I.P]..you have a chance to sort yourself out”

12. 7. Where to next? • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Thank you. Email: Amaudsley@leicesterymca.co.uk Tel: 0116 2046203