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The following objectives have been developed to help the East Kent authorities and their partners meet the seven key strategic priorities that are identified at section 5 of this strategy:
1. Maximise housing options and choice for customers
2. Prevent rough sleeping
3. Promote sustainable private sector accommodation
4. Help homeless households to secure and retain good quality accommodation
5. Reduce the use of temporary accommodation
6. Tackle youth homelessness
7. Monitor performance and develop best practice in homelessness.
Each objective has been developed to:
The majority of objectives are relevant for all four East Kent authorities. Where practical, and to avoid duplication, responsibility for taking each objective forward rests with one authority and/or partner organisation. However, some objectives are a priority for only one or two authorities, and they are identified clearly as such in column 4, on the left hand side of the action plan.
Progress against each will be monitored by the East Kent Homelessness Forum and also within individual local authorities (see section 7).
Outcome
Timescale
Resources Implications
Lead/Reference
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1: MAXIMISE HOUSING OPTIONS AND CHOICE FOR CUSTOMERS
1.1 Review information available to service users (leaflets, Internet) and update
Comprehensive information available in a range of formats/languages/easy read versions
April 2009
Cost of leaflet design and production if appropriate
Shepway DC, Canterbury CC & Thanet DC
(Dover information review completed December 2007)
1.2 Review the effectiveness of existing housing options services
Review and improve existing services, focussing on initiatives that have the greatest impact
September 2009
Resource through current budget provision
Thanet DC on behalf of all authorities
(Reference: Homelessness Prevention Systems Diagnostic - Audit Commission 2007)
1.3 With partner RSLs and other Kent authorities, introduce choice-based lettings
Increase choice, with a clearer route to permanent accommodation for homeless households with more transparency and by giving feedback
April 2010
Annual running costs budgeted for from 2008-2009
All authorities with Kent CBL Project Board
1.4 With partner agencies, monitor the impact of choice-based lettings on the community’s most vulnerable households by contacting identified vulnerable people who are not placing bids/change bidding
Vulnerable households able to engage with CBL process, and exercise choice
All authorities with partner agencies
1.5 Monitor implementation of Kent Reconnection Policy by using information supplied by Supporting People on a quarterly basis
Equal access to short-term supported accommodation; vulnerable people able to make planned return to an area of local connection; reduced pressure on move-on resources in host district
Ongoing
All authorities - with service providers and Supporting People Team
(Reference: Kent Reconnection Policy December 2007)
1.6 Through the East Kent RSL Forum, work with RSLs to implement the Housing Corporation’s Homelessness Strategy
Improved partnership working with East Kent authorities and other agencies; better use of existing housing stock e.g. reducing under occupation, tackling overcrowding; maximise RSL role in tackling homelessness
November 2009
Canterbury CC on behalf of all authorities
(Reference: Broadland Housing Group - RSL Questionnaire 2007)
1.7 Assess the levels of under occupation in Council-owned properties and develop incentives for move-on to release more family accommodation
Better use of existing housing stock
Dover DC on behalf of all authorities
1.8 Using the UK Coalition on Older Homelessness methodology, undertake older homeless needs audit
Assess levels of older people’s homelessness; raise awareness; improved services for older people
All authorities
1.9 Evaluate the effectiveness of current accommodation-based service for homeless households, quantify shortfall within individual districts, and if appropriate, develop proposals for additional services how?
Ensure services match local needs; increase accommodation based services within the sub-region
Subject to availability of revenue and capital funding
Shepway DC on behalf of all authorities
1.10 Review and evaluate effectiveness of mediation services, reporting annually to East Kent Homelessness Forum how?
Prevention of homelessness
From August 2008
1.11 With RSLs and other partners develop initiatives to tackle overcrowding
Practical actions to reduce overcrowding identified and implemented
Funding to be identified
(Reference: Tackling overcrowding in England: An Action Plan, CLG December 2007)
1.12 Encourage the expansion of debt advice to include the provision of court desks for households facing repossession
Strengthened debt advice service
1.13 Maximise uptake of debt advice/mortgage rescue scheme and access to credit
Reduce incidents of homelessness with improved financial awareness and low cost credit and banking services.
October 2009
Resourced through existing CAB provision and credit unions
1.14 Support Kent Probation Area in implementing and achieving the objectives set out in the National Reducing Re-offending Delivery Plan (November 2005) in particular pathway 1, Accommodation
Reduce risk of re-offending; enable ex-offenders to engage with relevant support services
Kent Probation Area & the East Kent Homelessness Forum
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2: PREVENT ROUGH SLEEPING
2.1 Undertake annual street count
Quantify levels of rough sleeping within individual districts and the sub-region
Annual
Porchlight on behalf of all authorities
2.2 Monitor and measure the impact of the countywide Outreach and Resettlement Service on individual districts in East Kent, and provide each authority with quarterly performance data
Ensure service continues to match district-specific needs
Quarterly from January 2008
2.3 With partners, work to reduce the negative community impact of rough sleepers and make public areas less attractive to rough sleepers
Reduce rough sleeping by 30% year on year
Develop project plan by September 2009
May require additional funding
2.4 Identify the agencies that are directing rough sleepers to East Kent and engage with them to identify alternative solutions
Reduce the number of rough sleepers accessing services in East Kent
2.5 Obtain feedback from service users on levels of rough sleeping across individual districts by use of JPPB single homeless survey
Quantify levels of rough sleeping, building upon data obtained from annual street count
Ongoing from January 2008
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PRIVATE SECTOR ACCOMMODATION
3.1 Review the impact of the Rent Deposit Schemes/Deposit Bond Schemes, reporting findings to the East Kent Homelessness forum
Expand/maximise effectiveness of schemes (see section 3.5) /SP scheme
Annually from April 2009
3.2 Develop format for, and undertake customer satisfaction survey of RDS/PSL customers and RDS landlords
Customer needs and preferences identified
June 2009
3.3 With local landlords and Housing Benefit teams monitor impact of Local Housing Allowance on levels of homelessness, in particular the impact on vulnerable persons
Respond to any identified increase in levels of homelessness
Ongoing from April 2008
3.4 In consultation with private landlords, lettings agents and other agencies research the extent of and reasons for private sector evictions
Understand and quantify issue, inform approach at 3.6 below
3.5 Following completion of research at 3.4 above, identify potential preventative measures and implement in consultation with partner agencies
Fewer evictions; reduce landlord costs; fewer homeless presentations
3.6 Develop a clear policy and guidance for taking action against private landlords for harassment and illegal eviction
Fewer illegal evictions; fewer homeless presentations
Cost of legal action to be quantified
3.7 Provide training for Housing Options staff on how shared ownership schemes operate, including how to assess the suitability of applicants against financial eligibility criteria
Information provided to working households accepted as homeless as part of options interview
Shepway DC & RSLs to develop format on behalf of Dover, Shepway and Thanet DCs
3.8 Promote the private rented sector as a tenure of choice for those accessing housing options services in partnership with private landlords
Maximise choice; reduce demand for affordable housing
On-going
3.9 Review induction training for newly appointed Housing Options and Private Sector Housing staff to include training on both functions and develop liaison between both teams for a cross referral system
Strengthen joint working; fewer homelessness presentations arising from enforcement action. Enable households to remain comfortably in private rented accommodation where appropriate
Dover DC to develop format on behalf of Dover, Shepway and Thanet DCs
3.10 Provide training for Housing Options and Private Sector Housing staff on the rights of EU nationals who are ineligible to present as homeless or apply for social housing
Reduce illegal evictions; facilitate access to private sector
Shepway DC to develop format on behalf of all authorities
3.11 Provide clear information on housing options for EU nationals who are ineligible to present as homeless or apply for social housing
Reduce illegal evictions; facilitate access to private sector; increased information on the rights of private tenants
December 2008
3.12 With Private Sector Housing teams, promote take-up of Warm Front grants by private landlords
Maximise opportunities for affordable warmth
Dover, Shepway and Thanet DCs
3.13 Establish district-based private sector landlords’ fora
Strengthen dialogue with private landlords, raise standards of accommodation and management, prevent homelessness
Dover DC; Shepway DC;
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4: HELP HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS TO SECURE AND RETAIN GOOD QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
4.1 Implement Sanctuary scheme in Dover and Shepway
People who experience domestic violence can choose to remain at home
Dover DC; Shepway DC
4.2 Maximise the use of Discretionary Housing Payments by close liaison with housing benefit teams, ensuring that local authority budgets are fully allocated each year
Reduce/prevent homelessness
4.3 With Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, Youth Offending Partnerships and the Probation Service identify opportunities for accommodation-based services for ex-offenders
May 2009
Resources to be identified
(Reference: Reducing Re-offending Housing and Housing Support resource pack 2008 - National Offender Management Service, 2008)
4.4 With the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust (PCT), facilitate improved access to GPs and other health-related services for homeless households and those in temporary accommodation how?
Improve the health care arrangements for homeless households
(Reference: Framework for planning and commissioning of services related to health needs of people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation - CLG January 2007)
4.5 Establish East Kent representation on a substance misuse and housing sub-group to develop effective information-sharing and joint working protocols between housing providers and specialist treatment services for substance mis-users
Housing and support providers better able to meet the needs of substance mis-users; prevent the homelessness of substance misusers
KDAAT & East Kent Homelessness Forum
(Reference: Drugs: Protecting families and communities – 2008-2018 strategy – HM Government 2008)
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5: REDUCE THE USE OF TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
5.1 By 2010, reduce the number of households living in temporary accommodation by 50% of December 2004 level
Meet and sustain key Government target
5.2 Ensure that families with children do not remain in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks
5.3 Maintain regular contact with all households in temporary accommodation within one year of commencement of occupation
Encourage take-up of alternative housing options/encourage tenancy sustainment
From January 2009
May require adjustment to existing budgets
5.4 Review the impact of the Private Sector Leasing (PSL) scheme
Maximise effectiveness of scheme; develop clear proposals for it’s longer-term role
July 2009
5.5 Monitor the impact of choice-based lettings on households in temporary accommodation
Reduce number of households in temporary accommodation; support households to access sustainable accommodation through choice-based lettings
From 2009
5.6 Review the use of Council-owned temporary accommodation
Alternative use identified for half of temporary units (what is this alternative?)
April 2011
Canterbury CC & Shepway DC
5.7 Undertake regular inspections of bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation, and a sample of PSL accommodation within all districts. Take appropriate action to improve standards
Raise standard of existing temporary accommodation, safeguard residents, demonstrate good practice
From April 2008
5.8 Undertake annual move-on audit across all forms of temporary housing for homeless people, and identify actions to address shortfalls identified
Quantify move on needs, plan access to appropriate move on accommodation , use county wide move-on accommodation protocol
Audit resourced through current budget provision. Funding to address shortfalls to be identified
(Reference: MOPP Protocol - CLG/Homeless Link June 2007)
5.9 Review cost of temporary accommodation and report annually to East Kent Homelessness Forum
Ensure value for money services; inform budget review process
Annually from May 2008
5.10 Develop alternative emergency accommodation arrangements
End the use of bed and breakfast accommodation; reduce concentration of vulnerable households
Project plan - April 2009.
Alternative arrangements in place by 2012
Resource through current budget provision.
Funding for alternative provision to be identified
5.11 Evaluate existing good practice, and develop district-specific supply and demand models to inform future service provision
Balance effective planning of prevention activities against availability of temporary and permanent housing
Resource development of model through current budget provision.
Funding for any alternative service provision to be identified
5.12 Use the JPPB County-Wide Temporary Accommodation Protocol and the County –Wide reconnection policy to address the emergency placement and reconnection of vulnerable households from out of the area
Reduce concentration of vulnerable households; improve accommodation and services to vulnerable households
All authorities and the Joint Policy and Planning Board for Housing
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 6: TACKLE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
6.1 By 2010, end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds
Funding for alternative emergency provision to be identified
6.2 In partnership with the Dover district Youth Homelessness Forum, develop and implement a Dover district Youth Homelessness Strategy
Eliminate the use of bed and breakfast for 16 and 17 year olds; Achieve better outcomes for young people at risk of homelessness and who have become homeless
May 2008
Funding identified
Dover District Council
6.3 Evaluate the success of Supported Lodgings schemes elsewhere and if appropriate, develop proposals for establishing schemes within East Kent
Alternative option for young people who cannot stay in the family home
6.4 Develop programme for delivering housing advice to students in local schools
Raise awareness of homelessness; provide advice and information; prevent homelessness
6.5 Review current service provision for vulnerable young people across East Kent, identify shortfalls and develop proposals for additional services in each district
Review complete by December 2008
Resource review through current budget provision.
Funding for additional services to be identified
6.6 Develop an accommodation-based support service for young people in the Thanet and Shepway districts
Reduce /prevent homelessness
December 2010
Shepway DC; Thanet DC
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 7: MONITOR PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOP BEST PRACTICE IN HOMELESSNESS
7.1 Monitor performance against objectives in the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan and key performance indicators
Monitor delivery of the Homelessness Strategy effectively
Six-monthly
East Kent Homelessness Forum
7.2 Review Homelessness Strategy Action Plan
Effective implementation of the Homelessness Strategy
Annually from April 2010
Dover DC on behalf of East Kent Homelessness Forum
7.3 Evaluate impact of East Kent Homelessness Forum, review and update Terms of Reference, and membership if appropriate
Maximise effectiveness and widen strategic links.
Thanet DC on behalf of East Kent Homelessness Forum
7.4 Develop comprehensive monitoring arrangements across Housing Options services, including homelessness applications, housing register and housing options/advice services by customer profiling using?
Detailed profile of service users; ensure equality of access to services; monitor quality and consistency of service; identify training needs; identify services that have the greatest impact
7.5 Monitor performance and trends against national and local performance indicators, benchmarking where appropriate against other Kent authorities
Strengths and weaknesses identified
Agree LPIs with EKHF and implement from December 2008
Canterbury CC on behalf of all authorities (with the Kent Homelessness Officers Group)
7.6 Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships and outsourced services, reporting outcome to the East Kent Homelessness Forum
Good practice shared; weaknesses or failures identified and tackled; inform decisions on service development
7.7 Monitor the use and effectiveness of all resources including homelessness grant and general fund contributions
Target staff and financial resources to improve outcomes and ensure value for money
7.8 Undertake sub-regional homelessness service satisfaction survey, temporary accommodation survey and single homelessness survey. Compare outcomes against 2007 survey and report, with recommended follow-up actions, to East Kent Homelessness Forum
7.10 Develop satisfaction measures and monitor customer satisfaction across Housing Options services
7.11 Complete Equality Impact Assessments for all homelessness and housing options services
Ensure equality in every aspect of service provision
From January 2008
(Ref: The Equality Standard for Local Government – LGA/I & IDeA October 2007)
7.12 Develop a coordinated approach to service user consultation (including minority groups – e.g. the BME community and gypsies and travellers)
Service users consulted on future and current service provision
Shepway DC on behalf all authorities
Foreword
Executive Summary
Strategic Context
East Kent Perspective
Achievements and Progress
Reviewing the Service
Strategic Priorities
Resources and Funding
Monitoring and Reviewing
Action Plan
Appendix 1 - East Kent Homelessness Forum
Appendix 2 - homelessness and priority needs categories
Appendix 3 - Service user consultation feedback summary
Appendix 4 - partners
Appendix 5 - Performance
Appendix 6 - Glossary of terms
Appendix 7 - anticipated funding and expenditure
Appendix 8 - local authority contact details
E-mail:
housing@thanet.gov.uk
Tel: 01843 577218