Names Joint Presentation to Full Council Wednesday 20 th January 2016 Homelessness in Manchester

Homelessness and rough sleeping Homeless Data 2014/ people approaches for advice and assistance 2203 made homeless application 1488 accepted as being homeless 10% increase in full housing duty cases (increasing vulnerability amongst single people) Rough Sleepers 2015 = 70 Cold Weather Provision = % male 26% from EEA 19% not eligible for support (immigration status) 47% mental health issues 32% alcohol issues 24% drug issues 74% Manchester connection, 11% AGMA, 9% rest of UK

Rough Sleeper Headcount

City Centre Targeted approach…in numbers 71Engaged (61 males, 10 females) 9 Entrenched rough sleepers 5 Had accommodation 12 From outside Manchester & refused to return 33 Took accommodation advice and support 21Refused all help 5EU Nationals subject to joint Home Office operation 2Arrested/recalled to prison 5Specific action re begging

Reasons for increase  Rise in EEA nationals with no recourse to public funds  Impact of welfare reform, bedroom tax and sanctions  Lack of ‘move-on’ from temporary accommodation & availability of the right support  Vibrant city centre  Street lifestyle is more sustainable than before

New approach: action to date  Engagement with homeless people  Partnership with the VCS  BIG CHANGE campaign  Opening of 150+ overnight beds  Single point of access  Homelessness Prevention Grant  City Centre Taskforce  Business & University Summits  Mobilising the city: Manchester Homelessness Charter

‘Not just about a roof’ Advice and Skills Hub Access advice – including reconnections within UK & Europe and support to maintain accommodation Health care – nurse, dental, mental health, drugs Well being – positive sports + recreational activities Education opportunities Volunteering opportunities Arts activities Support to get into Employment

Where are the gaps? Emergency overnight accommodation are only an urgent response. Homeless people need:  More appropriate move on accommodation  More support to resettle in the community  More opportunities to improve their health, build their skills, get involved in the community with arts/sports/volunteering and get back into work  Evening/weekend provision We need to be listening to homeless people they have the experience and the answers

Manchester Homelessness Charter The charter aims to: -Create a set of common principles for the public and organisations of all sectors to sign up to -Develop a variety of mechanisms, specific to each sector, by which those principles can be implemented -Develop systems for accountability and monitoring of charter implementation -Keep homeless people centrally involved with these processes

Manchester Homelessness Charter Emerging themes from discussions: Safety – protection from the elements, abuse and exploitation Respect – removing the stigma of being homeless Equality – of access to services and support; removing discrimination Communication & coordination – information sharing, signposting Voice and involvement of homeless people in policies & services Adequate housing – more places, more support, regulation for hostels Good support – especially for mental health issues & moving on Employability – incentivising work and providing opportunities Health services – preventing discrimination, better mental health support Section Heading Section Subheading Slide 10

Manchester Homelessness Charter Emerging ideas and ways to mobilise Manchester: Public launch of the charter to generate awareness of issues Signing up to the charter to engender a sense of responsibility Develop the Street Support website for better information sharing and better channelling of volunteers from business and universities Facilitate skills sharing sessions to improve skills and quality if service Develop networking across sectors for improved signposting Involve media by requesting homelessness articles include contact info Develop a kite mark for businesses with good practices for homeless Create a homeless people’s forum to monitor the implementation of the charter across sectors and have ongoing input into services

Dave Kelly

Next Steps  Big Change Campaign  Manchester Charter launch  Accommodation and support development