Resettlement of Offenders: Solutions for Accommodation Issues Samantha Waterton Heather Southwood March 2016

Introductions

Objectives

Main Issues Q & A What are the main accommodation issues in resettling offenders?

Innovative Solutions: Luton Dedicated housing scheme for Priority and Prolific Offenders In collaboration with Bedfordshire IOM, initially funded by Crisis Model: – 1 bed flats – Transition to own tenancy after 12 months – Tenancy support officer and housing officer

Success Total number of tenancies created Average number of tenancies created each year 26 Average tenancy sustainment rate – 3-6 months + 73% Housed IOM and PPO clients who would otherwise have been homeless and provided a stable platform for people to address issues e.g. addictions, mental health.

Case Study “I’m in a good place now, in a house, off the drink and wanting to talk to those who are still back there. I look at people on drugs now and I remember those messed up days. If Langley hadn’t been there I’d be a mess, no home, no friends and probably in prison.”

Challenges Accessing rent deposits Passing tenancies over from Langley to individuals Chaotic client group – need for a tenancy support officer Year-on-year funding renewal

Learning Communal houses – with 1 bed flats as incentives Working with landlords Acknowledging the chaotic nature of the client group Challenge of Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance

Discuss What’s going on in your patch? – Areas of good practice – Other local initiatives – Collaborations – Recent changes to guidance / legislation

Discuss Common themes – What helps? – What hinders? How will things be impacted by the Local Housing Allowance change?

Solutions and Actions

Objectives Revisited

Summary