BETTER ADVICE BEFORE THE STREETS STEPS FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING STAFF One in five rough sleepers seeks help from council housing services between losing their home and their first night out on the streets.
Provide a written record confirming the advice and assistance you’re going to give them. This will help you, your client and other agencies if the advice is not successful.
If you work for a council housing service, you can help stop people ending up on the streets.
ALREADY TAKING A STEP… TOP STEPS Think about how your Housing Options service can tailor advice and assistance to each individual. Explain why if you did not take a Homelessness Application. Come up with an action plan to help someone find short and long term accommodation and consider all the options. The action plan can include: Steps to get accommodation in the private rented sector Help with accessing housing benefit, crisis loans or other entitlements Referrals to legal advice, mediation, tenancy relations or environmental health services if there’s a problem with an existing landlord Support to make an application for social housing Referrals to specialist agencies, such as mental health, substance misuse, employment or criminal justice agencies Mediation to help someone return to a friend or family member. Make sure someone has a place to stay that night: you can exercise your power to accommodate people or refer to an accommodation provider.
“We are helping to end rough sleeping by engaging with those on the fringes of society to ensure they receive bespoke advice and assistance to increase their hope and quality of life for the future” Charlotte and Kate, Blackpool Council's Street Service Workers
Blackpool Council’s Housing Options Service offers a comprehensive housing needs assessment to anyone who comes to them with a housing related issue. No distinction is made between those the Council has a statutory duty to house and other single adults, including those at risk of rough sleeping. This approach means that vulnerable adults are quickly identified and do not risk slipping through the net. The assessment identifies other issues individuals are facing which may be the root cause of their potential homelessness. Swift referrals are made to other services within Housing Options, such as welfare benefits & debt advice, mediation and savings planning, as well as access to good quality affordable private sector accommodation.
ADVICE AND HELP For the full guidance on providing advice and assistance, visit: homeless.org.uk/ea-advice