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This program provides comprehensive housing support to Gypsy & Traveller families in Wolverhampton, aiming to prevent homelessness, minimize tenancy failures, promote independent living, and improve social cohesion. Support includes assistance with applications, bidding, setting up homes, accessing education and healthcare, and welfare benefit provision.
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Housing Support Gypsies & Traveller Families Charlie Gibbons
Background • Tenancy Sustainment Officer post implemented in 2005 due to high volume of tenancy failures • Estate Manager for Gypsies & Traveller Families post created in 2007 • Abandoned properties & evictions • High incidences of impaired literacy skills • Homelessness Act 2002 • Poor health, educational attainment & low take up of benefits
Information • It is estimated that one third of Gypsy & Traveller Families now live in ‘bricks & mortar’ accommodation • Gypsies & Traveller Families may give up their lifestyle for various reasons • Housed into unsuitable properties/areas • Lack of awareness amongst mainstream services in dealing with the settled Gypsy & Traveller Community
Estate Management • Provision of holistic housing support to all Gypsies & Traveller Families wishing to access Housing in Wolverhampton • Families living as part of mobile groups, on sites & in other housing • Support supplemented by Housing Support Plan
Service Aims • Prevent Homelessness • Minimise risk of tenancy failure • Promote independent living • Facilitate multi-agency/partnership working • Promote sustainable communities & improve social cohesion
How support is delivered • Referrals accepted from all agencies & partner organisations • Referrals accepted via telephone, email and self referral • Assistance provided with completing Housing Application forms • Support with bidding - CBL
Holistic Housing Support • Sign-up of properties involve Lettings Team and Estate Manager • Support in ‘setting up home’ • Support in accessing Education, Health & Welfare Benefit provision
Holistic Housing Support • Ongoing Tenancy Support provided to families with various support needs • Welfare Benefits assessment • Referrals to Education • Registration with GP’s • Assessment of Disabilities • Homewatch Scheme • Subsidised Alarm Scheme
Statistics – 5 years • Currently supporting 42 housed Gypsies & Traveller Families • 5 Families identified as having disability needs • No live ASB cases • 1 eviction • 2 abandonments
Social Cohesion • Promotion of Tenant Participation • Valuing Cultural traditions • Improved access to local services
Caravan Management • Tenants requested to ask for permission to park trailers on properties • Permission granted based on circumstances • Injunction
Referral Information • 85% Wolverhampton Homes • 10% WMCESTC • 3% Children’s Centre • 2% Self Referral