1. Rough Sleeper Strategy Review
3rd July 2018

2. Profile of Rough Sleepers in Brighton & Hove
Many have complex needs, particularly substance misuse and mental health issues
Women – 10% (most with multiple complex needs)
28% under 35 posing challenges with housing benefit restrictions for under 35s
Over 40% below the age of 30 have a history as a child in care
Approximately a 50/50 split between those with and without a local connection

3. Cohort with complex needs difficult to house
Mental Health issues – often stemming from childhood trauma
Victims/prepatrators of Abuse and Crime
Regular offenders in and out of prison
Institutionalised Behaviour Patterns from Prison and ‘Street Life’
Volatile Behaviour
Drug and Alcohol addiction
Learning Disabilities
Disability and Health problem

4. Begging Audit Feb 2017 Equinox:
35 beggars noted in February
14 sleeping rough
20 accommodated (57%)
1 unknown (did not speak English)
8 beggars noted more than once in the month
24 under the influence of drugs or combination of drugs & alcohol
6 under the influence of just alcohol

5. 2nd Highest number of Rough Sleepers in England Nov 2017
Source: HMCLG Annual Rough Sleeper Count/Estimate Autumn 2017
England total = 4751 up 617 from 2016 – 15% rise
Local Authority
Region
2016
2017
Change from 2016
% change on 2016
Westminster
London
260
217
-43
-17%
Brighton and Hove
South East
144
178 34
24%
Camden 17
127
110
647%
Manchester
North West 78 94 16
21%
Luton
East 76 87 11
14%

6. 5 Priorities of the strategy
Priority 1: Prevent Homelessness and Rough Sleeping
Priority 2: Rapid Assessment and Reconnection
Priority 3: Improving Health
Priority 4: A Safe City
Priority 5: Pathways to Independence

7. What has been achieved to date
Multi-agency protocol (MAP) signed up to by commissioned services
Local Connection policy updated
Make Change Count 2018 campaign relaunched with 8 charities
High support service for women (19 beds) opened 2018
Winter night shelter in Brighton Centre opened 10 Dec 2017– 11 Mar 2018
Info and advice pack to businesses circulated to BID
Pilot 28 day Assessment Centre trialled for 6 months to inform future commissioning model (ending June 2018)

8. What has been achieved (continued)
Bthink continues to be rolled out (data sharing system for services working with rough sleepers)
Data from improved systems indicates numbers of rough sleepers is reducing
MHCLG funding awarded early 2017 to reduce rough sleeping and set up Street Impact Brighton (social investment bond funded service)
MHCLG funding for Trailblazer initiatives implemented
£500k of MHCLG additional funding ring fenced to reduce rough sleeping awarded June 2018

9. Challenges and what we still need to do
Annual estimate for MHCLG rose from 144 to 178 in Nov 2017; 2nd highest number in England to Westminster
HCA funded service for rough sleepers with alcohol issues delayed
Permanent assessment centre with temporary (sit-up) beds to be set up
Develop integrated and coordinated joint assessments and support planning across housing, adult social care and health
Engage the street community to understand their impact on others, managing issues such as ASB and drug litter
Access to suitable, affordable and sustainable accommodation, particularly for move on, is difficult
Ensure those ready for PRS accommodation have a move on plan and are supported to manage their tenancy

10. Next Steps:
Filter principles and procedures of the MAP to the voluntary sector
Apply reviewed local connection policy
Safeguarding procedures rolled out across the voluntary sector
Night Shelter and Hub planned for Winter 18/19
Increase move on options to unblock supported accommodation
Increase support to help sustain tenancies in more affordable surrounding areas
Improve intelligence to enable support services to minorities groups amongst rough sleepers e.g. BME, Women & LGBT

11. Next Steps (continued):
Work with probation (CRC) re move on and advance placement of prison leavers
Clear procedure to be agreed with relevant services (City Clean, City Parks, CST, St Mungo’s, BID guards) re removal/storage of abandoned rough sleepers’ belongings
Further promote Make Change Count campaign – promotion event/day
Communications to be broadened to keep the public up to date with developments
Utilise Galvanise data and community support to help reduce rough sleeping

12. Make Change Count 2018
Make Change Count 2018 relaunched 1st Feb supported by 8 charities

13. Analysis and Conclusion:
The number of clients with complex needs is rising
Much of the begging in the city is not by rough sleepers
Sustainable housing solutions with support packages are required for entrenched rough sleepers
Affordable move on accommodation is required in the city and surrounding areas

14. Any Questions?