Research into intentional homelessness

1. Research into intentional homelessness Dr Jacqueline Aneen Campbell (Shelter Cymru) and Dr Simon Hoffman (Swansea University)

2. Session outline • Jacqui to present some of the results of research into the impact of intentional homelessness decisions on households’ lives (approx - 20 minutes) • Simon to present the results of stakeholders’ opinion on intentional homelessness legislation and alternative ways to support households assessed as intentionally homeless (approx - 20 minutes) • Over to you - 10 minutes for questions on Jacqui or Simon’s research • Over to you - 20 minute discussion on solutions and barriers to assisting households – Possible discussion topics include – What could we learn from the ‘Scottish Model’? Should we retain intentional homelessness for all households? Is the legislation in keeping with a rights based approach to homelessness? and what areas do you think require additional research?  

3. Brief introduction to intentional homelessness The person deliberately did or didn't do something: ·that caused them to leave accommodation ·which they could otherwise have stayed in, and ·which would have been reasonable for them to stay Duty: to secure accommodation for such period (usually 28 days) as will give the applicant a reasonable period to secure accommodation

4. Introduction to the research • We hypothesised that the affect of intentional homelessness has far reaching consequences such as: • Insecure accommodation • Social exclusion • Poverty

5. Method • Undertook in-depth interviews with 28 key staff • Conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 45 households that had been assessed as intentionally homeless by a local authority (LA) in Wales • Reasons for being found intentional included: non-payment of rent, abandonment of property deemed suitable, misuse of accommodation and anti-social behaviour

6. Results • The accommodation pathways intentionally homeless households take in and out of homelessness • A thematic analysis of the impact of IH decisions on households’ lives • Views on intentional homelessness legislation • Solutions and barriers to sustainable housing outcomes • Good practice from Scotland

7. The impact of intentional homelessness on people’s lives • Reduced housing options resulting in prolonged periods of homelessness • Adverse effects on important life areas • Deterioration of unmet support needs • A cycle of poverty and repeat homelessness • The especially damaging impact of intentional homelessness decisions for young people

8. Reduced housing options resulting in prolonged periods of homelessness • Being assessed as intentionally homeless can dramatically reduce the chances of a household securing stable accommodation in both the short and long term. • “ People don’t want to take me. Firstly because I’m on benefits and secondly because the council found me intentionally homeless. They won’t take the risk” IH participant, female, 49, South Wales

9. Access to the PRS • Difficulties with affordability including bonds/deposits • Benefits and the stigma of intentional homelessness • Under 25s • Unaffordable + poor standard = tenancy failure

10. Deterioration of unmet support needs that led to homelessness • We found evidence that unmet support needs such as mental health issues, substance misuse and offending behaviour deteriorated following being assessed as intentionally homeless

11. Intentional homelessness and re-offending • “ I had left prison and was trying to stay clean but I was basically on the streets. I thought I would come out of prison and make a fresh start but it didn’t happen I ended up scoring within the first hour of leaving the council. I thought what else am I meant to do? If it wasn’t for this decision I would have been clean a lot longer than I have now and I wouldn’t have been sent back to jail.” IH participant, 47, South Wales, Male.

12. A cycle of poverty and repeat homelessness • We found that if unmet support needs are not addressed then it can lead to a cycle of poverty and repeat homelessness • We recommend additional financial investment in affordable housing and that the support needs of households are assessed and addressed in order to reduce the chances of repeat homelessness

13. The especially damaging impact of intentional homelessness decisions for young people • We found that being assessed as IH can have a particularly negative affect on young people (defined as those under the age of 25). This can affect young people in two ways: 1/ being the dependent child of a household assessed as IH, or, 2/ being a young person who presents as homeless to the LA and is subsequently assessed as being IH.

14. The impact on dependent children • Relocation and disruption • “The kids are getting fed up. They are both in school in a different area and have to travel every day. It’s costing me a fortune. We had two dogs I had to give away – broke the kids heart” IH participant, female, 49, South Wales • Mental health • Family separation

15. The impact on young people assessed as intentionally homeless • Young people between the ages of 18-24 • “ It’s young people, not perhaps the very vulnerable (who do receive help), but say the 19/20 year olds. There’s no housing for them. They can’t afford the PRS, we need more social housing that’s affordable” Homelessness Officer, North Wales

16. In response to the particularly negative affect on young people… • No test of intentionality on first presentation for people aged under 25 and those with dependent children • A multi-disciplinary support package put in place to address the underlying cause of the behaviour thought to have led to homelessness

17. Solutions and barriers • Changes to intentional homelessness policy, practice and legislation. • The prevention of intentional homelessness • Assisting intentionally homeless households to achieve sustainable housing outcomes after homelessness crisis

18. Conclusion • The legislation does have a negative impact on lives, but… • Statutory (across departments) and voluntary sectors need to work together to achieve sustainable housing options for households