Appendix 3

Service user consultation – summary of feedback

Homelessness service satisfaction survey

• For cases closed during February 2007
• 24 responses – 54% female, 46% male
• 88% white British; 4% mixed white/black African; 4% Chinese
• 63% satisfied with overall service
• 75% saw a Housing Options Advisor within one week of contacting the Council (58% on the same day)
• 83% found the staff helpful
• 67% satisfied with information and advise provided
• 71% satisfied that homelessness application processed as quickly as possible.

Temporary accommodation survey

• 320 responses
• 37% currently living in hostel with shared facilities; 12% in hostel with self-contained facilities; 26% in Council house/flat; 9% in PSL property; 6% in bed and breakfast
• 43% living in current accommodation for one year or less
• 43% had at least one previous temporary home
• 19% reported accommodation-related health problems
• 17% experiencing harassment problems
• Generally – few problems identified with size and condition of accommodation of proximity to schools, employment etc
• 77% knew who to contact to discuss housing problems
• 73% found it easy to make contact.

Single homelessness survey

• East Kent – 356 responses (731 county-wide)
• 77% male; 21% female
• 86% white British; 3% white and black Caribbean
• Age range variable – 10% under 18
• Canterbury – majority aged 26-39
• Dover – majority aged 40-59
• Shepway – majority aged 18-25
• Thanet – majority aged 18-25

Where did you sleep last night?

• Hostel – 32%
• With friends and family – 23%
• On the street – 12% (NB those who answered “other” indicate that this figure was much higher. The car, the beach, Mum’s shed, the subway, a tent, and the graveyard behind the post office were all given as examples)

In which district was your last settled home?

• In all districts except Canterbury, the majority of respondents had lived previously in the district in which they were now homeless
• The pattern was slightly different in Canterbury – 65% of those responding had lived elsewhere previously. Of these, 22% came from Thanet, 9% from Dover, 2% from Shepway and 20% from other parts of the UK/abroad

Are you planning to stay in this area?

• Canterbury – 84% yes
• Dover – 58% yes
• Shepway – 41% yes
• Thanet - 58% yes

Reason for homelessness

• Dispute with family/partner – 39%
• Leaving prison – 15%
• Domestic violence – 5%
• Other reasons – 19% (E.g. Loss of tied accommodation and job; unable to afford rent; overcrowding; unemployment; eviction, dispute with landlord; death of family member)

What has prevented you finding another home?

(NB most respondents ticked more than one box in this section, hence the higher percentages)

• No deposit – 62%
• No rent in advance – 56%
• Rent too high – 32%
• Lack of support – 24%
• Other – 49% (E.g. Having a dog, prison, mental health, too young, use of drugs and alcohol)

What sort of support do you need?

• Help to find a home – 58%
• Help to find a job – 25%
• Life skills – 23%
• Other – 6% (E.g. Drug and alcohol issues, mental health, physical illness)

Have you slept rough in the last year?

• Yes – 48%

Are you registered with a GP?

• Yes – 67%
• No – 27%

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