The local authority perspective:

Andrew Burnip:

Housing Solutions

Core Team Manager:

The Stereotype:

Causes:

The Allocation of Social Housing

Localism Act 2011: (s.160za)

•Gave local housing authorities the power to determine for themselves what classes of persons are – or are not – persons qualifying to be allocated social housing.

The Demand

Social Housing Waiting List:

NE 280,000 social housing dwellings

NE 181,000 private rented dwellings.

Over 2 million nationally on social housing waiting list.

(source Shelter)

Region 1997 2012 % change

North East 73,809 86,919 +17%

The Law:

Where we have reason to believe the applicant is homeless or threatened withhomelessness within 28 days we must:

Make such enquiries as are necessary to satisfy ourselves that the applicant is:

• Homeless or threatened with homelessness in 28 days. (S175 HA96)

• Is eligible for assistance. (S 185 HA 1996)

• Is in priority need. (S 189 HA 96)

• Is not intentionally homeless. (S191 HA 96)

• Has a local connection. (S199HA 96)

If I am Homelessness I am in priority need…..right?

S.189 HA 1996: Priority Need

• A person MAY be in priority need if they are vulnerable as a consequence of:

• Having served a custodial sentence, been committed for contempt of court or similar offence, or been remanded in custody.

(R v Camden LBC ex parte Pereira (1998)

• Defined by the Court of Appeal as the applicant being, when homeless, less able to fend for her/himself than an ordinary homeless person so that s/he would suffer injury or detriment, in circumstances where a less vulnerable person would be able to cope without harmful effects

Johnson v Solihull MBC: Court of appeal June 2013.

Intentionality

An applicant is intentionally homeless if they have: (all 3 must be satisfied)

•Deliberately have done, or failed to do something in consequences of which s/he has ceased to occupy accommodation which was available to her / him.

•It must have been reasonable the applicant to continue to occupy the accommodation.

•The applicant must have been aware of all the relevant facts before deliberately taking or failing to take the actions. An act or omission in good faith on the part of the person unaware of a relevant fact should not be treated as deliberate.

Welfare Reform:

• Bedroom Tax. (52% affected in NE)

• Extension of Shared Room Rate to under 35s

• Localisation of Council Tax.

• Welfare Assistance Polices.

• Benefit Sanitations. • 31% of homeless people on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)

have been sanctioned, compared to just 3% of typical claimants. (Homeless Link)

Prevention & Housing Options:

• Local Authorities have always had a power to Prevention since 1977.

• Proactive not reactive.

• Early intervention offering a range of services to all.

• Govt priority & grant funding to support LA work

• No Second Night Out

• MEAM Pilots.

• Work with probation / Police / IOM

But its only a housing problem…

Thank you.