Housing and Homelessness The strategic context for Hastings

2 Homelessness Significant achievements between Some progress in the general social, economic and physical regeneration of Hastings Increased homeless prevention has resulted in significant reductions in statutory homelessness acceptances and B&B usage Improved access to a range of housing options Additional housing-related support made available for vulnerable households

However, Hastings has… been identified as the 19 th most deprived Local Authority in the country very high levels of economic inactivity life expectancy below the regional and national average high benefit dependency levels and wage levels below the regional average a high proportion of adults on working age benefits a higher than average numbers in receipt of incapacity benefit/ESA a third of all households in Hastings claiming Housing or Council Tax benefits comparatively low educational attainment teenage conception rate remaining one of the highest in the country very high levels of deprivation and benefit dependency linked to patterns of pervious inward migration of poorer households 3

Fresh Challenges Economic downturn Housing market collapse Public Sector spending reductions Impact of Welfare Reform –All claimants seeing changes to the amount they receive or the way it is paid –Changes to HB levels across all tenures –Most households experiencing a reduction in the level of housing benefit –Benefit levels capped for households not in work –Benefits for rent to be included in Universal Credit –Threat of inward migration 4

Homelessness Trends 5 Significant increase in numbers of homeless applications received However commensurate increase in homeless preventions Increase in temporary accommodation use but still historically quite low Main reasons for homelessness friend and family evictions and end of assured shorthold tenancies

Rough Sleeping in Hastings 15 rough sleepers Nov rough sleepers Nov rough sleepers Nov 2009 Relationship breakdown is the primary reason stated for rough sleeping Approximately 40% of all rough sleepers have come to Hastings from out of the area – whilst some are from East Sussex, others migrate from other areas There is no obvious pattern of migration from particular areas

How the Council is responding – Homelessness Strategy Strategic priorities include working with partners to: Further improve our understanding of the local housing market and the causes and reasons for homelessness Adapt or develop existing housing and related support services in order to tackle emerging trends and priorities Ensure fair access to social housing Improve access to well managed PRS accommodation Ensure a range of housing advice and assistance is available to prevent and minimise homelessness and rough sleeping 7

Housing Tenure Owner occupation is low compared with the rest of East Sussex and the South East average House prices remain below the regional average Social housing numbers are slightly lower than the regional average and supply is insufficient to meet demand The private rented sector is considerably larger than the rest of East Sussex and is close to double the national average (higher in certain Wards) A third of all private rented accommodation in the county is located in Hastings There are issues with affordability and quality of accommodation in the private sector New house building is picking up but remains sluggish after housing market collapse

Social Housing Demand far outstrips supply Approx 350 new lets annually Approx 70 new social units annually New HBC Allocations Scheme 2012 (prompted by Localism Act) Housing Register reduced from 5,500 households to 800 Local people in housing need given added priority Local Lettings Policy in the ‘seven streets’

Private Rented Sector The tenure of ‘choice’ for some, and increasingly the only option for others Of major importance to the Council in discharging its homelessness responsibilities Issues with access and cost for low income households Evidence of poor repair and management, including rogue landlords Expanding sector (30% +) which has nearly doubled over ten years 50% of private lets are in the Central St Leonards area Estimated 2800 HMOs of which 85% are concentrated in four Wards Poor internal layouts and conservation status can deter investment and add to costs

Strategic Intervention Continued focus on regeneration and narrowing the gap Additional licensing of HMOs in four Wards - Braybrooke, Castle, Central St Leonards and Gensing Possible extension of licensing of all private rented properties in some locations being considered Re-declaration of the St Leonards renewal area and proactive enforcement programme Acquisition of poor quality housing in St Leonards through Coastal Space Project Empty homes and CPO programme Further development of Local Lettings Agency approach New Local Plan and Affordable Housing policies adopted Anti Poverty Strategy and Action Plan adopted Strategic links and partnerships being developed with other coastal towns eg: Thanet and Tendering Councils Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP)

Frontline Action Options Officers co-located in the Prison, Probation, Conquest Hospital, Seaview and Snowflake night shelters Family Keywork Project (16 & 17 year old homeless) Rogue Landlord Project Rough sleeper projects, including Seaview outreach, SHORE, Broadway outreach commencing Feb 2014 Sanctuary Scheme Financial assistance to access PRS (DESSS) Big Lottery Project – multiple and complex needs Sussex Central YMCA empty homes project 12

Our commitment to our partners We will continue to improve inter-agency partnership working We will ensure our resources are maximised and targeted effectively and efficiently to avoid duplication of service provision We will re-engineer existing services, or develop new services where resources are available, to tackle homelessness We will strive to provide fair and equal access to services for all 13