Cwm Taf Housing, Homelessness and Vulnerable Groups Needs Assessment 2012 Angela Jones Consultant in Public Health, Cwm Taf Public Health Team 16 th October 2013

Aims  Fundamental importance of housing  The Cwm Taf perspective  Outline of the general housing stock and condition  Population and changing needs  Identifying groups who need additional support  Focus on the housing needs of vulnerable groups  Priority and emerging areas

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Dwelling stock estimates by tenure March 2011 Number of dwellings (March 2011) Owner occupied/ privately rented RSLs Wales1.35 million84%10% Merthyr Tydfil 25,74178%22% RCT103,44585%15% Source: Statistics for Wales, February 2012

Profile of current housing in Rhondda Cynon Taff Source: Housing Matters Source: Merthyr Tydfill Housing Strategy

Per cent change in number of households Households (number) 2011 Households (number) Change (per cent) Wales1,212,5001,302, Merthyr Tydfil23,20024, RCT94,60099, Source: ONS

Percentage of working age population claiming employment related benefits Nov 2009-Aug 2010

Income related benefits 2009/10 Source: Welsh Government 2012a

Per cent change in population by age group, Cwm Taf,

Welfare Reform – Wavehill Report  Child tax credit – removal of baby credit and 1-2 yrs increase will not happen  Fewer families in receipt of tax credit and lower value for others  Housing benefit and local housing allowance changes will affect affordability of private rented housing especially workless families. Will reduce if “spare” bedrooms.  Child benefits frozen for 3 years and removed for higher tax payers  Income support changes for lone parents – age thresholds and incapacity

Acceptances as homeless by priority need (annual) Households with vulnerable members due to: Total Household s Young person at risk Depende nt children Dependen t children or a pregnant woman Pregnant woman and no other dependen t children Domestic violence or threatene d violence After leaving the armed forces Former prisoner with no accommodation to return to Wales 6, (23%) 2250 (35%) 2,805 (43%) 555 (9%) 825 (13%) 40 (0.6%) 955 (15%) RCT (4%) 65 (27%) 70 (29%)5 (2%)20 (8%) (29%) Merthyr Tydfil (27%) 25 (33%) (53%)... 5 (7%) Source: Stats Wales

Acceptances by priority need (annual) Households with vulnerable members due to: Total Households Dependent children Dependent children or a pregnant woman Pregnant woman and no other dependent children Wales 6,5152,250 (35%)2,805 (43%)555 (9%) RCT (27%)70 (29%)5 (2%) Merthyr Tydfil 7520 (27%)25 (33%)...

Parents no longer willing to accommodate Breakdown of relationship – non violent Breakdown of relationship- violent Mortgage arrears Loss of rented or tied accommodation RCT 16%2%8%6%24% Merthyr Tydfil 13%7%47%...13% Wales 20%7%14%3%19% Acceptances by main reason for loss of settled home period annual Source: Stats Wales

Households accepted as homeless due to physical disability annual Total number of households Households where member is vulnerable due to physical disability Per cent % Wales 6, RCT Merthyr Tydfil Source: Stats Wales

Person with learning disabilities Community Placements: own home Community Placements: parents/fam ily Community Placements : foster home Community Placement: lodgings/s upported living Total communit y placemen ts Wales1,836 (14%)8,433 (67%)281 (2%)2,128 (17%)12,678 RCT84 (7%)828 (71%)25 (2%)232 (20%)1,169 Merthyr Tydfil 94 (33%)165 (59%)16 (6%)7 (2%)282 Register of persons (all ages) with learning disabilities and placements on 31 March 2011 Source: Stats Wales

Households accepted as homeless due to mental illness learning disability annual Total number of households Households where member is vulnerable due to mental illness/learning disability Per cent % Wales 6, RCT Merthyr Tydfil Source: Stats Wales

Percentage who reported currently being treated for a mental illness

Estimated number of people being treated for depression and anxiety, Cwm Taf 2010 Source Welsh Health Survey 2009: (Some people may be in both groups).

Reason for all 84 referrals in one week, Cwm Taf CMHTs, May 2011 Source: Cwm Taf CMHT team for Welsh Government Delivery Support Unit audit.

Estimated number of children with any mental health problem, Cwm Taf 2010 Source: Daffodil, 2011

Correlation between self reported mental health problems and chronic conditions, Wales 2005 Source: Paul Davies [i], Welsh Health Survey 2005 [i]

Register of physically/sensory disabled persons on 31 March Severely Sight Impaired No of persons on register aged Severely Sight Impaired Total number of persons on register Physical disability only No of persons on register aged Physical disability only Total number of persons on register Wales1,843 (23%)7,89312,825 (28%)45,487 RCT194 (27%) Merthyr Tydfil49 (29%) (41%)1,800 Source: Stats Wales

TenureFuel Poverty (%) Privately rented1736 Local Authority1028 Owner occupied1125 Housing Association 424 All1126 Statistics for Wales 2010 Fuel Poverty

Estimated incidence rates and individuals referred for alcohol and drug misuse Individuals referred for alcohol misuse – number Estimated Incidence rate – alcohol misuse per 100,000 Individual s referred for drug misuse – number Estimated Incidence rate – drug misuse per 100,000 Wales10, , RCT1, Merthyr Tydfil Source: Stats Wales

Child Protection

Children in Need by local authority and all Wales figures All children in need as per 2010 CIN Census Rate per 10,000 population aged 0-17 Merthyr Tydfil Rhondda Cynon Taff Wales18, (Rate based on ONS mid-year population estimate 2009)

Supporting People Priorities 2012/13 Rhondda Cynon Taff Client Group Mental Health Substance Misuse Homelessness Learning Difficulty Older People Physical Disability Domestic Abuse Ex Offenders Young People Merthyr Tydfil Client group Domestic Abuse Alcohol Abuse Substance Abuse Children and Young People Ex Offenders Homelessness Single Parents Older persons

Homeless and Vulnerable Groups Health Action Plan  Homeless priority groups:  Domestic abuse  Alcohol abuse  Young people  Small Gypsy and traveller community  Limited data on EU migrants  Asylum seekers and refugees negligable  Frail elderly/Ageing Population

Housing Bill Proposed changes: Improving the private rented sector – new standards Preventing homelessness and help for those who are homeless Ending family homelessness by 2019 New cooperative housing tenure Option to increase council tax on empty properties Duty of cooperation on RSLs and others Implications: Increase in demand for support from vulnerable people/families Increase in duty to house more people Increasing housing enforcement Increase in private sector rents? Increase in conversion to flats?

Housing Issues  Increase in population (1.8%)  Increase in older people (50% in 20 years)  Household growth (5.3%)  Housing stock vs demand (50% terraced)  Housing condition  Empty homes 2-5%  Welfare reform (9,800 families)  Fuel poverty  Housing Bill  Eviction or threat of eviction