Pan-London Umbrella Support Project (PLUS) December 2017 www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

Legal context: changes Prevention duty Duty to take ‘reasonable steps to help the applicant to secure that accommodation does not cease to be available’ (s.4) Eligible applicants who remain or become homeless then move on to the relief duty Relief duty Duty to take ‘reasonable steps to help the applicant to secure that suitable accommodation becomes available’ (s.5) - If applicant deliberately and unreasonably refuses to cooperate - Priority need applicants may move on to the main duty if they remain homeless after 56 days Main duty Existing Section 193 HA 96 duty to ‘secure that accommodation is available for occupation by the applicant.’ Priority need applicants only, but can be excluded - Deliberately and unreasonably refused to cooperate – in this case they are still entitled to a ‘final offer’ of a 6 month private sector tenancy. - Offer of settled accommodation: (i) minimum 12 month approved `private rented sector offer’ or (ii) offer of social housing. Two new duties bolted onto the front of the existing safety net

Legal context: changes A new duty to prevent homelessness for all eligible applicants threatened with homelessness. A new duty to relieve homelessness for all eligible homeless applicants. An extension of the period during which an authority should treat some people as threatened with homelessness from 28 to 56 days. A new duty on public services to notify a local authority if they come into contact with someone they think may be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. A new Code of Guidance: offers some guidance on Modern Slavery (Chapt 25)

Code of Guidance If threatened or homelessness – increased risk of modern slavery/trafficking Particular care to children - relationship with any purported guardian Victims of modern slavery and trafficking - PART 7 – assessment of priority need or vulnerability Alert Adult or Children Social Services Duty to notify National Referral Mechanism Support via National Referral Mechanism but joint working with housing authorities for suitable accommodation Homelessness applications and interviews – appropriate approach TA where priority need/vulnerable – work with specialist support agencies Suitable accommodation: case by case, gender specific and out of area

Vulnerability Housing authorities should ensure that staff have an awareness of the possibility that applicants may be victims of trafficking or of modern slavery, and are able to assess whether or not they are vulnerable as a result. section 189(1)(c) of the 1996 Act.

Vulnerability A person has a priority need for accommodation if they are vulnerable as a result of: a. old age; b. Mental illness or learning disability or physical disability; c. having been looked after, accommodated or fostered and is aged 21 or more; d. having been a member of Her Majesty’s regular naval, military or air forces; e. having been in custody ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence from another person or f. threats of violence from another person which are likely to be carried out; or any other special reason.

Vulnerability It is a matter of judgement whether the applicant’s circumstances make them vulnerable The housing authority should determine whether, if homeless, the applicant would be significantly more vulnerable than an ordinary person would be if they became homeless The assessment must be a composite one taking into account all of the relevant facts and circumstances Consideration of the impact of homelessness on the applicant when compared to an ordinary person

Vulnerability Consider what services and support available from a third party, including their family What are the needs of the applicant, The level of support being provided to them, Whether with such support they would or would not be significantly more vulnerable than an ordinary person if homeless. Is the support provided on a consistent and predictable basis. In assessing vulnerability housing authorities must be mindful of the Equality Act 2010 and their public sector equality duties towards people who have a protected characteristic.

Further Information Leaflets, website, twitter, email Leaflets – take to London meetings www.homeless.org.uk/london-plus-project London.Plus@homelesslink.org.uk Twitter: @LondonPlus_HL Leaflets, website, twitter, email www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

What we do Homeless Link www.homeless.org.uk Homeless Link is the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless or who live with multiple and complex support needs. We work to improve services and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and secure a sustainable future for supported housing.   Homeless Link Minories House, 2-5 Minories, London EC3N 1BJ   020 7840 4430 Twitter: @Homelesslink Facebook: www.facebook.com/homelesslink © Homeless Link 2017. All rights reserved. Homeless Link is a charity no. 1089173 and a company no. 04313826. www.homeless.org.uk Let’s end homelessness together

Training suggestions Who Training Type/Level Area/Subject Likely to have contact (non housing professionals of Council) Webinars Podcasts Homelessness – Introduction HRA changes Types of prevention When and how to signpost/refer Homelessness and social welfare advisers/officers and teams Prevention & HRA – Introduction – face to face Prevention & HRA Advanced – face to face Existing prevention duties HRA: types of prevention work PHPs Incl. data monitoring More prevention case studies Detail of new CoP and Guidance Legal teams As above Reviews & Challenges Review duties and challenges to decisions including failure to cooperate decisions (tbd) Other OVAs/partners Webinar or Prevention & HRA – Introduction – face to face

Training suggestions Who Training Type/Level Area/Subject Likely to have contact (non housing professionals of Council) n/a Homelessness and social welfare advisers/officers and teams Basic/Advanced face to face Skills Eligibility Maximising Income DV Awareness Effective Casework Management Developing your Advising and Interviewing Skills Working with People with Multiple Needs Maintaining Customer Focus Skills for Managing Client Expectations and Giving Advice Legal teams Other OVAs/partners