Memorandum by Gateshead Council (HOM 33)
Thank you for your request for comments on homelessness
in Gateshead; for the specific aspects of homelessness you have
requested further details on I have outlined the current position
in Gateshead below.
THE OVERALL
LEVEL AND
THE NATURE
OF NEED
FOR HOUSING
FOR HOMELESS
PEOPLE.
Over the last five years homelessness has increased
throughout Gateshead and the North East. The increase in homeless
is across all categories and there has been no significant rise
in one group other than refugees.
Since 1999-2000 there has been an annual increase
of 15-20% as shown below.
| Financial year |
Total App | Accepted
| % Increase |
| 1999-2000 | 1,173 | 413
| |
| 2000-2001 | 1,368 | 431
| 15 |
| 2001-2002 | 1,706 | 476
| 20 |
| 2002-2003 | 2,058 | 660
| 18 |
| 2003-2004 | 2,481 | 847
| 18 |
The first two quarters of this financial year compared to
last shows that the trend continues.
| Quarter | No of App 2003
| tNo of App 2004 |
| | |
| Jan—March | 443 | 658
|
| April—June | 546 |
725 |
There are currently 300 homeless priority cases outstanding,
awaiting offers of accommodation from The Gateshead Housing Company
or RSL's.
SUCCESS OF
POLICIES MEETING
THE NEEDS
OF HOMELESS
HOUSEHOLDS
Several new initiatives have been instigated in Gateshead
to meet the needs of homeless households to ensure compliance
with the Homelessness Act 2002. These can be summarised as:
A New Debt Advice Service
The role of the Debt Advice Service is to prevent homelessness
by advising clients on money management assessing whether a client
is in receipt of all relevant benefits, assess homelessness or
potential homelessness through financial hardship. The main role
of the debt advisor is to prepare a financial statement, negotiate
with both priority and non-priority creditors with the purpose
of reaching an affordable and sustainable payment schedule thus
preventing homelessness.
A New Service for Victims of Domestic Violence
The Domestic Violence Housing Support Scheme has been set
up to provide support to women and their children who have in
the past experienced domestic violence. The domestic violence
workers provide floating practical and emotional support to 12
women in their own homes. The workers provide one to one support
around issues facing women and their children. These include the
upkeep of their tenancy or linking in with more specialist agencies,
ie support groups, providing emotional support, promoting independence,
safety and stability. In addition to supporting 12 women in their
own home the scheme also supports four families in a "safe
house" environment as an alternative to refuge provision.
A New Tenancy Support Scheme
This is a floating support service, which means that practical,
general support is provided to people in their own homes clients
include care leavers, and other young vulnerable people. The support
is tailored around the needs of the individual and a support plan
is set up and constantly reviewed. The service can be short term
ie assisting in setting up a tenancy and all that involves, or
longer term ie if an individual has complicated needs such as
rent arrears or is involved with anti-social behaviour. The workers
work directly with the tenant on a one to one basis, but also
link in with other services or agencies and liaise closely with
the Area Housing Office.
A New Homelessness Support Scheme
The Homeless Support Worker provides floating support to
homeless clients in our disbursed temporary accommodation. The
support includes practical support with benefit claims etc, emotional
support and where necessary making a referral to other services
or agencies as appropriate.
A New Housing Support Co-ordinator Scheme
There are two Housing Support Co-ordinators; one with particular
emphasis on ensuring the council meets the ODPM's Supporting people
initiative and the quality assessment framework, the other with
emphasis on ensuring that vulnerable tenants can access the support
services they need via the "single gateway". The HSC
are establishing good links with services such as the Mental Health
Team, Older peoples service and Learning Disability team and can
get advice, information and assistance for the individual and
work closely with housing offices.
A New Rent Deposit Scheme
£10,000 has been set aside to enable homeless households
to access private rented accommodation within Gateshead. The scheme
will guarantee the landlords bond should problems arise with the
subsequent tenancy.
THE ADEQUACY
OF INVESTMENT
IN HOUSING
FOR HOMELESS
PEOPLE AND
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
AVAILABLE
The funding for the homeless service in Gateshead primarily
comes from the Council's general fund, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund,
Supporting people and the ODPM.
The level of temporary accommodation in Gateshead has increased
over the last 12 months and more accommodation is available for
all priority groups. Temporary accommodation includes disbursed
family accommodation, four safe houses, adapted property for wheelchair
users, four bed female hostel and three bed male hostel.
In addition, the council have leased a number of properties
to support providers such as Norcare who provide support for people
with offending history; Aquila who provide support to young pregnant
women and young women with children; and Haven who provide supported
shred accommodation to young people in general.
The current provision of accommodation and investment is
inadequate in Gateshead; this has resulted in B & B expenditure
of £10,000 per month.
FACTORS AFFECTING
THE SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE HOMELESSNESS
ACT
The changing housing market in Gateshead has had a significant
impact on the housing market in Gateshead, and has combined to
increase the pressure on the Council to implement the Homelessness
Act successfully. These changes to the market are:
— increased demand for family accommodation from
homeless families
— increased demand for family accommodation from
families being rehoused due to demolition programmes throughout
the borough
— Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder's potential
impact
— low turnover of family property—stock turnover
is now 11% annually, compared to 15% three years ago
— increased right to buy sales, in the year 2003-04
1,043 properties were sold.
Despite these pressures the Council are committed to ensuring
that homeless people receive appropriate services and accommodation.
The Council has recently renogotiated the Social Housing Agreement
to increase the supply of accommodation for homeless families
with partner organisations and RSL's in Gateshead.
LOCATION AND
PROVISION FOR
HOMELESS PEOPLE
RELATIVE TO
WHERE THEY
LIVE
At the initial interview stage all homeless clients are asked
in which areas they would prefer to be re-housed, and for what
reason; such as children's school's, support from family members,
if fleeing violence or harassment to be removed from further incidents.
Where a client identifies an area, we endeavour to make an offer
of accommodation that is not only suitable for their needs but
is as close to their preferred area of choice having regard for
any support issues. Although it is not always possible for this
to happen.
New temporary accommodation within Gateshead is dispersed
in all neighbourhoods and is as far reaching in location to be
reasonably accessible for the client and to enable relative normality
to a family's day to day requirements.
The Council has recently begun to provide homeless advice
surgeries in Blaydon and Birtley, the two areas of the borough
furthest away from the Civic Centre.
THE BALANCE
OF PUBLIC
INVESTMENT IN
HOUSING FOR
KEY WORKERS
AND HOMELESS
PEOPLE
The current investment in services for homeless people is
insufficient to meet current demand. Increased resources are needed
to increase the Council's preventative work.
PRIORITY HOMELESS
WITHIN THE
OVERALL ALLOCATION
OF SOCIAL
HOUSING
Currently homeless applicants are awarded the greatest priority.
This is still valid, and in the proposed new lettings policy this
position is continued with homeless families living in B &
B and temporary accommodation receiving greatest priority.
Neil Tryner
Service Manager
Housing Services
Community Based Services
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