Lesly Curtis Engagement and Enforcement Team (EET) Poole Housing Partnership

Role of Engagement and Enforcement Team Serious ASB / Nuisance Hoarding / Property condition Maximum 30 cases across two officers Managed by in-house Solicitor Poole Housing Partnership

EET Criteria High Priority case Frequent incidents Significant risk of harm to either party High impact on HM function Risk to mental / physical health No real engagement with PHP No real engagement with support agencies Poole Housing Partnership

Aims Intensive intervention De-escalate Engage with PHP Engage with support Sustain tenancy Move to more suitable accommodation Take prompt and effective legal action Poole Housing Partnership

Hoarding

Background PHP is an ALMO who manage Poole Borough Council housing stock This consists of 4,481 properties 3,221 General Needs properties 567 Leasehold properties 1,260 Sheltered Housing and extra care Poole Housing Partnership

Poole Housing Partnership

The Figures Sheltered Housing - 1,260 properties – 7 Hoarders known General Needs – 3,221 properties – 29 Hoarders known Other Authorities estimate the average cost of an individual case to be £35,000 This means the current cost to PHP and partner agencies could potentially exceed £1.25 million

The Tenant, Agencies or Housing? Your tab or mine? Who pays the cost? The Tenant, Agencies or Housing?

Why is Hoarding an Issue? Increases risk of fire Impedes fire and rescue services Compromises the health and safety of others– particularly in blocks of flats where fire / infestations can spread Impacts on tenants health and wellbeing Increases risk of harm to the tenant / household members Increases likelihood of structural damage to properties / unreported repairs / non-access or neglect of the property Devalues our asset Clearance /repairs to the void property incur significant costs

Tools Non-legal interventions Meetings / case conference Verbal warning Written warning Action plan Contract of Expectations Referral ( DFRS ,Support, Sustain, ASC, CYPSC, CMHT, HCS) Poole Housing Partnership

Perseverance = success Build relationship / trust Honest / Non judgemental Plan goals / picture aspirations. Remain objective / No assumptions Be aware of emotions / deflection tactics Reward / Praise / build confidence

Define roles and expectations Be honest (legal action is a possibility) Provide appropriate information from outset What do they want – longer term How much can they do? Don’t use the threat of eviction as a negotiation tool, but don’t discount it as a possible outcome Starting is the hard part Keep checking how they feel Identify ‘treasures’ Dispel the ‘re-use’ argument Recognise & reward results Support the person through the trauma of change

Hoarders 18 women 12 men 3 Couples – no children living in the home 1 couple with two children 1 x 2 sisters 1 family consisting of Mum, daughter and granddaughter (questionable Hoarding)

Legal intervention Extension of introductory tenancy Injunction Possession Poole Housing Partnership

What do we do? Follow a written procedure created to ensure consistency Use a home condition assessment and hoarding questionnaire Identify and involve other agencies Ensure consistency and continuity by use of a structured action plan to keep staff and tenant focused on the aims Implement an intensive work pattern – with weekly visits by support workers and enforcement officer Adopt a hands on approach when needed to motivate and encourage Use “normative” approach rather than “instrumental control” Think outside of the box

Single Male SPO Before After

Couple - clearance and support Before After

Results so far 12 out of 49 EET cases (25%) Hoarding/ Property condition None evicted 1 Suspended Possession Order (by consent) – which is working well 2 were rehoused – smaller / more suitable accommodation / supported 2 resolved with verbal/ written warnings with no further support 3 engaging and making good progress with support 3 properties returned to satisfactory condition and being monitored i.e. 50% either engaged and returned property to satisfactory condition or are well on the way to doing so with support Only 1 not engaging

Contact details l.curtis@poole.gov.uk 01202 264416