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Homelessness Policy Context

Learn about rising homelessness, policy context, funding issues, welfare changes, access to housing, health & employment, and potential solutions to end homelessness in England.

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Homelessness Policy Context

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  1. Homelessness Policy Context What are the key issues facing the sector? www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  2. Who we are Homeless Link The national membership charity for organisations working with people who experience homelessness in England. We work to make services better and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness. www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  3. Rising numbers, increasing demand Current context Chart 1: rough sleeping in England Source: DCLG www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  4. Applications and acceptances Statutory homelessness • In Q1 2016, compared to the same period the • previous year: • More people applying as homeless (up 5%) • West Midlands third highest number of applications after London and the South East • 31% become homeless due to end of their AST • More households in temporary accommodation (up 11%) • More households in B&Bs (up 13%) Source: DCLG www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  5. What is available? The homelessness sector down19% Projects Bed spaces down18% Day centres up 14% Source: HEng www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  6. Clients in accommodation projects Who is homeless? Client profile has remained fairly consistent over the years Source: Annual review 2016 www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  7. National policy context What are the critical issues today? • Spending Review: • £139m to help those at risk of homelessness and rough sleepers over next four years • Homelessness prevention grant protected • BUT no ring fence. • Local investment? • In 2015, 47% of services reported a reduction in their funding compared to the previous year. The average decrease was 19%. www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  8. Welfare Changes What are the critical issues today? • Risks to financial viability of supported accommodation • Reduction of social rents by 1% • Cap on the amount of rent that Housing Benefit will cover in the social sector to Local Housing Allowance. • Rental income would reduce by half • Most services say they’ll be forced to close • An alternative system and long term strategy needed www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  9. Affordability and access Access to housing In 2015, 30% of clients were ready to move on but couldn’t, up 5% on 2015 While regional variation, lack of affordable accommodation was the main barrier. Quality and suitability also key. • Will the Housing Bill make a difference? • Some measures to address conditions and rogue landlords in the PRS • New measures of ‘affordability’ out of reach of our client group • Low cost homes still in chronically short supply www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  10. Health & employment key parts of the picture Looking beyond housing ‘For work to really help me out of homelessness, I need a living wage’ ‘We need a better work ready programme for people who become homeless’ 80% people experiencing homelessness report an issue related to their mental health 44% report a long term physical health problem www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  11. What might make a difference? On the horizon • Prevention, prevention, prevention: in practice and potential legislation? • Making what’s there work better, and developing new models and approaches • A renewed focus on partnership (and with the unusual suspects) www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

  12. Please check latest news and briefings on www.homeless.org.uk For regional and local breakdowns of homelessness data visit http://www.homeless.org.uk/facts/homelessness-in-numbers Questions? www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

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