PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL Minimising The Use of Bed and Breakfast 15 November 2012

1. PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL Minimising The Use of Bed and Breakfast 15 November 2012

2. Format of Session Overview of Perth and Kinross Councils Bed and Breakfast Reduction Plan. Question and Answer – Good Practice Sharing The Way Ahead Obstacles Solutions

3. Perth and Kinross Context Large geographical area – 5,286 kilometres Population of approximately – 140,000 Mix of urban and rural communities Housing needs and demand assessment – net shortage of approx 500 units each year for the next 10 years Mismatch between available stock and requirements of those in housing need Tenure profile differs from the national picture: Higher owner occupation Lower levels of social housing Large private rented sector Homeless presentations of approximately 1100 per year

4. Homeless Context High usage and costs of B&B accommodation High levels of homeless presentations – 1100 p.a. Commitment to meet 2012 target – October 2011 Improving access to private sector Temporary Accommodation Increased demand Improved void turnover : 65 days 06/07 19 days 10/11 105% increase in units from 2008 50% (300) lets to homeless households Increasing waiting lists demand (600 households)

5. Bed and Breakfast Reduction Plan” April 2010 – Council approved savings of £244,000 during 2011/12 August 2010 B&B reduction plan initiated “ To devise, agree and implement a plan to reduce expenditure on B&B establishments for temporary accommodation whilst meeting the Councils legal duty to secure temporary accommodation.”

6. Bed and Breakfast Reduction Plan Initial 6 Thinking Hats Session Analysis of existing information Issues / barriers Risks / benefits Schedule (monthly budget / placements target) Detailed action plan: 7 main objectives Desired outcomes Key actions Target dates Key outputs / evidence Consultation with key stakeholders

7. 1. To ensure the efficient and effective use of the Councils temporary accommodation Improved void turnover Maximised occupancy levels Reduced churn Move on of non statutory cases Review definition of reasonable offer Review of exclusions policy Review of criteria for discharge of temporary accommodation duty Review of standby procedure Conversion of temporary to permanent Review of Accommodation Officers work plans Additional units of temporary accommodation Discussion and feedback from Shelter Involvement of legal services

8. 2. To ensure the Council maximises use of supported accommodation placements for homeless customers Establish available bed spaces Review and introduction of joint working agreements Delivery of training to all staff Review of all procedures Review of weekly surgeries Supported accommodation providers monitoring framework

9. 3. To reduce costs of Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Introduction of maximum nightly charge Close monitoring of all placements Monitoring of ghosting procedure Close liaison with Housing Benefits Audit of B&B financial processing systems Dedicated Accommodation Officer (B&B) Financial reduction plan

10. 4. To ensure that the allocations policy prevents and reduces homelessness Cleanse of waiting list Projected vacancy profile Analysis of by pass reasons for homeless customers Agreement on required performance information Workshop – identify blockages and best practice Review of case management Throughput into permanent vacancies

11. 5. To maximise use of the private sector for homeless customers Procedural review – to ensure fairer access to PRS Private Sector Team – duty officer Weekly case management meetings Use of private sector for use as temporary accommodation Section 32 A procedures Transfer of Section 11 procedures Staff training

12. 6. To work closely with Neighbourhood Services to ensure positive outcomes for homeless customers Review of Housing Options Workshop session – blockages, best practice Mapping Exercise – customers journey Staff training Review of eviction prevention panel Housing management procedures to focus on tenancy sustainability Review of handover profile

13. How are we doing? Prevention Prison discharge protocol: 2008/09 – 75 – all emergency presentations 2009/10 – 63 2010/11 – 43 – only 3 emergency presentations Comprehensive Advice and Assistance service Rent Bond Guarantee Scheme Evictions prevention panel – 10, 5, 2 Mortgage to rent – 16 properties purchased Rough sleeping – 5.5% Lost contacts: Before assessment – Scotland - 8%; PKC – 2.3% (1.5%) After assessment – Scotland -11%, PKC – 5.7% (3.3%)

14. Prevention of homelessness – Measures of success: Applications Repeat Homelessness

15. Support services-Measures of success: Sustainability: The % of homeless customers provided with a PKC property who maintain tenancy for at least 12 months: 07/08 – 88.76% 08/09 – 89.22% 09/10 – 91.85% 2010/11 – 92% 2011/12 – 93% (mainstream – 96%) The number of PKC evictions: 2006/07 -10 2009/10 – 5 2010/11- 2

16. Access to accommodation – measures of success: Priority Need: 2008/09 – 73.3% 2009/10 – 82.8% 2010/11 – 93% (National Average – 88%) 2011/12 – 97.2% (October 2011 – 100%) Bed and Breakfast Reduction Plan:

17. Access to accommodation – measures of success Breaches of the unsuitable accommodation order: 2007 /08 – 31 2008/09 – 7 2009/10 – 0 2010/11 – 0 2011/12- 0 2009/10 – 151 households with children placed into B&B 2010/11 – 24 households with children placed into B&B 2011/12 – 4 households with children placed into B&B Time to discharge duty: 2008/09 – 32.08 weeks 2009/10 – 35.8 weeks 2010/11 – 29 weeks £1 million reduction in B&B expenditure 2011/12