1. Homeless Reduction Act CIH June 2017

2. Background Mears currently manages circa 10,000 homes across the UK
We provide circa 5,500 homes for 50 LAs to meet homelessness demand; emergency hostels, TA and Prevention accommodation
Last 12 months we housed 20,000 households
Last 12 months B&B usage has risen 11% to 6,590
TA increased by 8% to 77,240
A 61% increase on 2010
This is a direct consequence of Welfare Benefit freezes on LHAs and the PRS moving out of the reach of people on benefits and low wages
This is now a national issue

3. Background TA subsidy remain fixed at LHA 2011
The new Flexible Homeless Grant is for a limited period and causing difficult decisions making
Anything called a Homeless Reduction Act must be a good thing?
It will certainly offer assistance to more people than ever before
It will reflect t true housing need which has been hidden
It will make LAs think differently
It will cost a lot more to deliver
But with current economic situation where do the homes come from?

4. Background
Andy Gale
Will provide a critique of policy and what he thinks will happen
Former Homeless Persons Unit Managers, Advisor to DCLG on B&B and Homelessness
Now a consultant to Councils wrestling with the challenges
Amber Christou
Will provide a practioner viewpoint. Not a big metropolitan council but an area of economic challenges in the south east being pressured by the economics and demographics of London
Head of Residents Services, Swale Borough Council