What next for homelessness Jon Sparkes Crisis

What next for homelessness? Jon Sparkes Crisis

Homelessness ends here Deliver high quality services that enable housing stability, financial security, improved wellbeing and the development of positive relationships Be the leading source of knowledge on causes, effects and solutions for single homelessness. Influence opinion and public policy and raise awareness so that homelessness matters to people

Homelessness today • All forms of homelessness have increased in England over the last 5 years • In the last quarter, 13, 500 people in England were accepted as homeless – up 8% on the previous year • 280, 000 cases handled by local authorities last year • Rough sleeping has risen, with the most severe effects being in London. 2, 744 people slept rough in England on a typical night – up 55% in 4 years • The Homelessness Monitor shows that these numbers are likely to rise further still

Youth homelessness • In the last quarter, 3, 300 households where the main applicant was aged under 25 were accepted as homeless – 25% of total acceptances • Half of all users of homelessness services are aged under 25 • 871 under 25 s slept rough in London last year – up 40% over 4 years • 8% of under 25 s report having been homeless in the last 5 years – the highest of all age groups • 50% of homeless people became homeless for the first time when they were under 20 – and went on to become homeless again repeatedly

Costs of homelessness Scenario 1: Successful Prevention Preventative intervention by Housing Options Team Low intensity accommodation based service (mean support cost, 4 weeks) Floating support (mean support cost, 6 weeks) Total cost Scenario 2: Homelessness persists for 12 months Processed by Housing Option Team, refused assistance Low intensity accommodation based service (mean support cost, 41 weeks) Seen by ambulance crew and taken to hospital Non-elective long stay in hospital Residential detoxification (6 weeks) Total cost Cost £ 826 £ 432 £ 300 £ 1, 558 Cost £ 558 £ 4, 428 £ 233 £ 2, 716 £ 3, 798 £ 11, 733

The new government’s agenda • ‘Jobs bill’ - to create more apprenticeships, but also to remove housing benefit from out of work 18 -21 s (with some exemptions), freeze working age benefits for 4 years and lower the benefit cap • Lower benefits cap from £ 26 k to £ 20 k. Continued roll out of Universal Credit • A focus on vulnerable adults and complex needs – a ‘troubled individuals’ programme? • Demand side measures on home ownership – Right to Buy, Help to Buy ISAs – set to be accelerated

North East Homeless Think Tank Charter • Sufficient and appropriate housing with adequate support services • Housing Benefit will be retained for under-25 s • Compulsory to find settled accommodation for offenders leaving prison or who are homeless within the community • All houses in Multiple Occupation and B&Bs which cater for homeless people must provide a safe environment and good quality facilities to meet the basic needs of all residents • The statutory definition of homelessness will be improved by ensuring that all forms of homelessness are recorded, requiring by law the measurement of single homelessness in England

What Crisis wants • No One Turned Away – a review of the support single people receive under the homelessness legislation and a focus on prevention • Housing benefit for 18 -21 year olds – exemptions for key groups who can’t live with their parents • Tailored employment support that helps homeless people move back into work, without the risk of punitive sanctions • A reformed, better regulated private rented sector which provides accessible, and decent, housing for people who have been homeless • A genuinely affordable housing offer for everyone