Select Committee on Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Written Evidence


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 AppAccepted % Increase
1999-20001,173413
2000-20011,368431 15
2001-20021,706476 20
2002-20032,058660 18
2003-20042,481847 18

  The first two quarters of this financial year compared to last shows that the trend continues.

QuarterNo of App 2003 tNo of App 2004
Jan—March443658
April—June546 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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