Case study – Solihull MBC – initiatives for under 35s George Daley Policy Lead (Housing) SMBC

Local Context A Borough of 200k people An area of growth – HS2, UK Central, BHX, NEC High values – land, rents, prices - in most areas Regeneration area – lower values – most housing need – most homelessness High level of owner occupation though diminishing Rapid growth of PRS but still relatively small Social sector contracting as sales outweigh new supply – 12.5k homes Housing Register - 8k Social lets - about 1k per year ALMO - Solihull Community Housing PRPs - Bromford, Waterloo, Optima, Sanctuary St Basils – young people Midland Heart – older singles

Worries LHA on social rents LHA on supported housing Benefit cap down to £20k / £13.4k - over 250 cases in Solihull Universal Credit rollout and rent arrears Lack of PRS opportunities for under – 35s in particular LHA out of step with PRS rents Withdrawal of HB for under – 21s Lower demand / difficult to let A third of net lets to homeless - increasing annually Loss of AST main cause of homelessness - difficult to prevent Housing and Planning Act PRP capacity / policy

Pre-Tenancy A more inquisitive application process Can the individual afford to take on a tenancy ? Do they have the personal capacity to do so? Might they be able to sustain it, with or without support? Advise to wait, save some money? Differential policies – PRPs, Council/ALMO? A lower income level beneath which they will not be assisted? Referrals from partner agencies – possibly with continued support Applications by individuals Homelessness

SCH Support Package for New Tenants All new SCH tenants since April tenancies 3 months support – extendable where required Care leavers – 12 months support guaranteed Money advice and budgeting Training and employment Health and wellbeing Assisting with applications eg community care grants Signposting / referral to other support agencies

Fair Chance Fund Supported StBasils bid 1 of 7 nationally Accommodation and support for homeless NEETs Social Investment Bond approach Payment against defined outcomes – accom, training, employment etc Also Birmingham, Walsall, Coventry, Wyre Forest 49 cases Jan to Dec 2015 of which 28 in stable accommodation 26 entered education 10 started work Support to December 2017

Housing First Single adults with complex needs Homeless plus one or more eg mental health, substance abuse History of exclusion Midland Heart providing service - Birmingham, Solihull and Stratford Accommodation for those that aren’t ready to live independently 6 high-need Solihull cases in 2015/16, all sustaining their tenancies Improvements in health and wellbeing

Young Persons’ Pathway Working up a proposal for 2 year pilot National pathway model Solihull Children’s Services, SCH, St Basils Single gateway for all single year olds Integrated pathway including prevention (including mediation and advocacy) all emergency, temporary, supported and permanent accommodation – support - enablement (skills, training, employment) Implementation early 2017

Private Leasing Had to get out of B&B Increased HRA stock for TA Leased 2 large properties from private individual Landlord paid for improvements, we topped up slightly 18 places between them Single people with low support needs Management by Fry Trust

Newbuild TA Longstanding, worn-out scheme for people with mental health needs Reprovided as newbuild 3 miles away Council bought site Planning consent for 21 place scheme 11 en-suite rooms 10 x 1 – bed self-contained flats Provide TA for singles and childless couples Built and maintained by SCH Management arrangements to be considered Capital funding is available Revenue being remodelled

Shared Accommodation Working with Walsall MBC, Walsall HG, Caldmore Accord, Dudley MBC 12 month Pilot to test whether shared tenancies can work sustainably 3 properties each shared by 2 people Regional money – h/l prevention for singles Provide carpets, furniture, white goods Applicants with low to moderate support needs who are able to live independently Some pre-tenancy training ‘light – touch’ floating support by SCH Selection by SCH – referrals from partners – target those ready to move-on Also advertise through Solihull Home Options and social media

The House Project DFE Innovation Fund bid – transition to adulthood for care leavers Housing Co-op in Stoke - 10 care leavers They decorate their properties and manage the accommodation Intensive floating support – independent living skills SCH looking for Council properties to roll out the Stoke model