By Tony O’Riley-
A group of organisations in England representing social landlords, local authorities and the wider homelessness sector, are calling on the UK Government and social housing providers to help make Housing First available to those who need it.
The group, comprises of seven homeless organisations. They include Homeless Link, Crisis, the National Housing Federation, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Federation of ALMOs and Homes for Cathy, as well as housing associations A2Dominion.
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Two Saints, L&Q, South Yorkshire Housing Association, Camden Council and the Smith Institute (hosts of the Affordable Housing Commission), want to ensure that Housing First has its place in post-lockdown planning to end rough sleeping in England.
Housing First provides ordinary, settled housing as a first response for people whose homelessness is made harder by other disadvantages and experiences such as trauma or addiction.
At present, most people who were rough sleeping in Scotland’s town, cities and rural locations have been accommodated in hotels and other facilities left empty by the pandemic, around 200 people.
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This figure includes those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) whose immigration status prevents them receiving mainstream support and benefits. Exploring options for scaling up Housing First is now a key focus for senior figures in the housing and homelessness sectors, and Scottish Government, as the country starts to think about what comes after this stage of the pandemic.
Research commissioned by Crisis and Homeless Link suggests that 16,500 people in England facing multiple disadvantage need a Housing First approach to end their homelessness. However, significantly fewer are currently receiving it.
The government recently pledged to invest in 6,000 supported move-on units offers a promising opportunity. The statement demands a long-term, cross-departmental investment in support and housing to deliver high-fidelity Housing First and offers support to the government to do so.
Funding
The statement calls on the British government to commit long-term funding for the support services needed to enable 16,500 Housing First tenancies over the current government term and to ensure there is a supply of suitable homes to meet the scale of need for Housing First and wider housing-led provision to tackle homelessness.
Victoria Stirling, head of service at South Yorkshire Housing Association, said: “We know that Housing First works; people engage with this in a way they don’t with other services. It has a clear role to play in building on the successes and momentum of the government’s ‘Everyone In’ initiative during the COVID-19 lockdown.”
In Scotland, the Housing First Scotland Pathfinder published its first annual check-up report in May revealing 250-plus tenancies created so far in the five Pathfinder areas of Aberdeen/shire, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, with more than 90% of people supported to stay in their home.
Sir Andrew Cubie, chair of the Housing First Scotland Advisory Group, said: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to the success of the programme in its first full year. Work that continues during these exceptional circumstances, moving us closer to a solution that addresses the most acute forms of homelessness.”
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “I am delighted the Housing First Scotland Pathfinder has now helped over 250 people into their own homes, providing everyone with the right support for their needs. Partners involved in Housing First are putting the lived experiences of people at the heart of what they are doing and providing evidenced-based responses to do what is right for every person. That is why there has been an amazing 92% tenancy sustainment rate. I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone who has been involved in the Pathfinder on this the first anniversary of its inception.
“In the current public health emergency, it is vital that we all build on the progress made as we seek to meet our commitment to end rough sleeping for good. I look forward to working closely with all involved in the Pathfinder, to ensure Housing First is available to all those who will benefit from it.”
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