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Health and Wellbeing

Homelessness. Health and Wellbeing. Phil Harris 30 November 2017. What we will be focusing on. Meaning of ‘statutory homelessness’

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Health and Wellbeing

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  1. Homelessness Health and Wellbeing Phil Harris 30 November 2017

  2. What we will be focusing on Meaning of ‘statutory homelessness’ Homelessness duties of local authorities Rough sleeping Causes and effects Nature and extent of homelessness in Northamptonshire • Action we are taking

  3. ‘Statutory homelessness’ Households that meet specific criteria of priority need set out in legislation and to whom a homelessness duty has been accepted by a local authority May not literally be living without a roof over and ‘rough sleeping’ Overview of legislation Causes and effects of over their heads

  4. Homelessness duty Housing (Homeless Persons Act) 1977 Housing Act 1996 Homelessness Act 2002 Duty to ensure the provision of advice and assistance for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness

  5. Homelessness duty Are they eligible? Are they homeless or threatened with homelessness? Are they considered to be in priority need? Is their homelessness deliberate (intentional)? Can they establish a local connection?

  6. Homelessness duty If main duty is owed: Must ensure that suitable accommodation is available until a settled home is available This may involve the provision of temporary accommodation Duty discharged by offer by an of a ‘suitable’ home

  7. Homelessness duty If main duty is not owed: Must provide advice and assistance to help them find accommodation for themselves If in priority need, must ensure accommodation is available for reasonable period to allow household time to find a home

  8. ‘Rough sleeping’ (for counts + estimates) Sleeping, about to bed down or bedded down in the open air (streets, tents, doorways, parks and bus shelters, etc) Living in places that are not designed for habitation (stairwells, barns, sheds, cars, sheds, boats, ar parks, cars, etc car parks, stations, etc)

  9. Context of homelessness A growing population Not enough new homes are being built Private rents have risen sharply Home ownership is unaffordable for many Reduced funding for housing-related support • Welfare reform

  10. Causes of homelessness Loss of private rented accommodation Relationship breakdown (violent and non-violent) Friends or relatives no longer willing to accommodate them Financial difficulties

  11. Causes of homelessness Abuse or neglect Leaving hospital, prison or care in an unplanned way No recourse to public funds Tenancy breakdown (rent arrears, ASB, abandonment, etc)

  12. Causes of homelessness Unmet support needs A danger to others An unwillingness or inability to engage Mental ill-health Alcohol, drugs and new psychoactive substances

  13. Effects of homelessness Disruption of schooling, healthcare, employment and support networks Lack of space / privacy (affects relationships, homework and friends) Reduced self-esteem More financial strain (meals, transport and removals and removals and storage)

  14. Effects of homelessness Physical / mental health Self-esteem, confidence and personal hygiene Isolation, risk of assault, loss of support networks May abuse alcohol and drugs, and commit petty crime / ASB Nowhere safe to store personal possessions

  15. Homelessness acceptances 994 homelessness acceptances in 2016/17 (up 82% on 2014/15) Northampton had 48% of County’s acceptances Kettering, Wellingboro and Corby had 37% of County’s acceptances Increased most in Corby (311%) & Kettering (157%)

  16. Temporary accommodation 351 households in TA on 31/03/16 (up 118% compared to 31/03/15) Northampton had 45% of County’s use of TA Kettering, Wellingboro and Corby had 35% of County’s use of TA Increased most in Corby (233%) & Kettering (230%)

  17. Rough sleepers (Nov 2017) Kettering – 14 (was 3) Northampton – 13 (was 9) Wellingboro – 12 (was 5) East Northants – 6 (was 4) Corby – 4 South Northants – 2 (was 2) On the night of the count, 16 people stayed in Corby’s winter shelter and 11 people stayed in Northampton’s nightshelter

  18. Action we are taking Focus on prevention of homelessness Countywide Housing Protocol (Care Leavers) Countywide Housing Protocol (Homeless 16 & 17 Year Olds) New affordable rented housing is being built schemes in Kettering and Northampton

  19. Action we are taking Hospital discharge schemes in Kettering and Northampton Nightshelters in Corby, Northampton & Rushden and East Northants Social lettings agency set up in Northampton Multi agency working

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