1. South Tyneside Homelessness Commission The Cyrenians April 2013 We support people in need by helping them make sustainable, positive change in their lives

2. The Cyrenians: Who We Are Regional charity delivering services in the areas of: Accommodation Day Centre and Outreach Services Addictions and Recovery Offending Employment and Training In 2012 we worked with an average of 1,275 clients each month providing: 77,745 beds per annum 420 people with addictions support 373 people with support to stay in their own homes 163 people with employment and skills training Turnover of £8.4m in 2012/13 employing 225 staff, of which 1 in 3 are ex-clients Operate in the North East and Yorkshire A regional charity with a national voice – helping people change lives and build futures

3. The Cyrenians in South Tyneside: What We Do Support the Council’s priorities 1, 4 and 5 through: Whitehead Street P1 Supporting and protecting the most vulnerable 67% of our clients in the last year have achieved positive move-ons Voids are at less than 1% ASSIST Floating Support service P4&5 Preventing homelessness and welfare reform Supported 168 people this year to stay in their own homes Low numbers of returns to the project (5) 1/3 clients have substance misuse problems. Debt, mental health and anti-social behaviour problems are also common

4. How We’re Approaching WR 5 Key Areas of Action for the Charity AreaAction 1. ResourcesDevelopment of central repository regularly updated with guidance and information Comms provides Board / Senior Management with regular briefings and updates 2. TrainingIn-house training delivered to 30 staff by DWP District Liaison Manager Managers encourage all staff to attend local training e.g. CAB 3. Intelligence Gathering Main recording systems updated to capture client sanctions and length 4. Forecasting Modelling to cover possible reductions in Housing Benefit, increases in accruals / write-offs of personal charges etc 5. Lobbying / Campaigning Through regional and national agencies such as Homeless Link and the Regional Homelessness Group

5. Services Successes Whitehead St – Addressed issue of ‘silting-up’ by changing the project from tenancy to licence agreements. This addressed the issue of long-term tenancies (5-14 years of tenancy). Achieved positive move-ons with 3 clients previously defined as unable to sustain tenancy (all young people under 40) Assist – Prevents homelessness through tenancy sustainment support. Built on strong working relationships within the sector locally and regionally HomeLife – Leverages an additional £100k in HCA Empty Homes resources for the borough and similar match from TC

6. Issues and Improvements Conclusion – Positive move-on’s are key; we know what the challenges are (welfare reform) but we also understand the importance of partnerships and leveraging additional resources Issues – In the short-term we expect to see: –More people being made homeless –The potential ‘silting-up’ of hostels as lack of 1 bed accommodation makes it hard for single homeless clients to move on –More clients presenting with multiple needs – homelessness and addictions, for example Improvements –Specialist advice suitable for homelessness professionals –Tailored benefits and welfare information for professionals in associated areas i.e. addictions work

7. John Dryden Group Assistant Director Rhiannon Bearne Group Assistant Director t:0191 273 e: J.Dryden@tcuk.org e: R.Bearne@tcuk.orgJ.Dryden@tcuk.orgR.Bearne@tcuk.org For further information please contact: