COLD WEATHER PROVISION YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER REGIONAL EVENT JOE KENT HOMELESS LINK

ABOUT HOMELESS LINK The national network of homelessness charities in England. We have more than 480 members, largely homelessness charities but increasingly, local authorities who are committed to ending rough sleeping in their local areas. As the national collaborative hub for information and debate on homelessness, Homeless Link seeks to improve services for homeless people and to advocate for policy change. Through this work, we aim to end homelessness in England.

Introduction and welcome: Joe Kent. Notes from this meeting last year Notes from LA officers regional forum Provision in Hull last year. Gavin Baggs, Hull HARP Group discussion. What is happening in your area? What would you like to do? How is it funded? Can we end rough sleeping by 2012? Coffee break 12.00York Regional Champions role: Tim Carroll No Recourse To Public Funds: Maff Potts Salvation Army Lunch, networking and close

LAST YEAR 2008 / 09 Meeting in November 2008 Presentation about Bradford Provision Inspired others to do more Key Question – what happens tomorrow morning? Set up follow on services, link into day services, work with each individual to look at all their options, seek to remove barriers and try to use this opportunity to re-engage with people coming into temporary services Services like these can improve knowledge & intelligence of who is out there – useful to always notify the Local Authority of people known to be sleeping rough. HAYH will set up web pages to do this.

Policy Context Change No One Left Out Communities Ending Rough Sleeping New Government strategy published November 2008 Vision is to end rough sleeping by 2012

/ In Your Area / Regional Forums / Cold Weather Group

Local Authority Regional Forum - Last year we did this: Commissioned a night Baptist Church. Used B+B as emergency direct access accommodation. Worked in partnerships with other agencies to ensure access to accommodation when the temperature forecast dropped to zero or below. Paid for B+B on an ad hoc basis – we do not have a rough sleeping issue. B+B – actually worked well, but not an option this year - lack of funding. Poster to front line services ‘advertising’ cold weather provision and availability of services over Christmas period. Kitted out TA for Rough Sleepers. Funded ‘Winter Watch’ scheme, October to end of March. 8 additional bed spaces across HHARP and English churches, night-shelters from mid December to mid march with move on support. No hostel provision within ERYC or outreach workers. Hostel provision is adequate. Supported accommodation had a provision to accommodate a rough sleeper if temperature went to zero.

Local Authority Regional Forum – This year we want to do this: New Rough Sleeper team. Work with town centre action committee. Derelict buildings – liaise with police to enter due to drug issues. Develop services offered last year and extend them to incorporate a street support worker to work with vulnerable homeless people to assist them into sustainable housing. Pay for B+B on an ad hoc basis, anything else is unlikely to be cost effective. Bed spaces on voluntary sector. Design pocket sized information cards for police officers and others… Improve upon provision of accommodation with TA and emergency packs. Extend cold weather provision as a period…Oct/Feb. Looking at possible funding of hostel provision in neighbouring Authority. Speak to local homes forum to arrange street count – open doors with health service. Speak to local hostels / housing providers re stand-by beds. Engage homelessness forum in paper count

Local Authority Regional Forum was asked: Would a regional network of lead officers coordinating extra Cold Weather provisions for rough sleepers would be useful? NO 3 YES 10 Would you support developing a regional reconnections protocol? NO 1 YES 10

Gavin Baggs Hull HARP

Group discussion What is happening in your area and how is it organised and funded? What would you like to do? Can we end rough sleeping by 2012?

York Regional Champions role: Tim Carroll

Maff Potts No Recourse to Public Funds

Next Steps Post information on the HAYH website Exchange contact details to develop regional network Can anyone coordinate a survey people using shelters? Can anyone lead on a regional reconnections policy?

THE 2010 RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW BE PART OF THIS AMAZING PROJECT RECRUITING NOW! FOR SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: GARDENING, CONSTRUCTION & CARPENTRY. WE’LL BE LOOKING FOR HOSPITALITY, ARTS AND MEDIA PROJECTS SHORTLY In 2009, more than 200 homelessness agencies, 6 prisons and 300 service users contributed to this amazing project; creating a silver-medal award winning show garden, which was voted third favourite by the general public. To submit an expression of interest in this project, please Rebecca Sycamore at Homeless Link: Closing date for initial expressions of interest: 26 October 2009

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