Report to Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership Overview Of
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Sitra is part of Homeless Link Report to Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership Overview of current and proposed legislative and regulatory changes on services and communities James Berrington Sitra Associate Patricia Dearnaley Sitra Associate July 2016 Contact us Sitra Gateway House 8 Milverton Street London SE11 4AP Wendy Green 020 7840 4441 Sitra Consultancy Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] www.sitra.org 020 7840 4439 Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership Overview of proposed legislative and regulatory changes on services and communities Contents 1. Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... 3 2. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................... 9 4. Leicestershire Context ................................................................................................. 14 5. Overview of welfare reform and legislative change .................................................. 20 6. Impact of welfare reform and legislative change in Leicestershire ......................... 27 7. Access to information, advice, advocacy & support ................................................ 37 8. Access to affordable homes ........................................................................................ 44 9. Supply of affordable homes ........................................................................................ 49 10. Managing the impact on local services ...................................................................... 59 11. Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 62 2 | Page 1. Executive Summary “The Government’s welfare reforms represent the most fundamental changes to the benefits system in a generation” (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion 2013)). The purpose is to reduce dependency on social security and encourage employment, but it also forms part of the Government’s deficit reduction strategy. The welfare reforms combined with changes to social housing in England that are likely to change what the sector looks like and who it serves, create unprecedented changes to affect some of the poorest and vulnerable people and the organisations there to support them. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (Power et al. 2014)) conclude that “cutbacks in support make people on low incomes, in work and out, more vulnerable to debt, risk of eviction and shortage of necessities, so they rely on food banks and other emergency support”. Whilst considerable work has been, and is being, done across Leicestershire to address the impacts of welfare reform and the changes to housing legislation, more can be done and done more effectively. It is anticipated that in future, the impacts will be felt by more people and deeper by some, leading to an increased demand for services. In the context of reduced public sector funding, it will be increasingly important to focus services and spending on how it can most effectively support those in greatest need. This report highlights the sheer scale of change that the welfare reforms are bringing, as well as the significant changes brought about by housing and planning legislation. It brings together the experiences of customers, local authorities and providers in evaluating the impact and draws on this experience and expert knowledge to make recommendations for action by the Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership. A key message from participants in the study is that on the whole, they are, as one respondent reported “Just a little (or a lot) poorer” than in the past: many have been affected by welfare reform, some could cite examples of others in their communities or families that have been affected. In many cases, they are, it appears, juggling a lack of resources to try to keep their household’s financial head above water. Several respondents (notably younger people) requested more assistance with managing poverty and avoiding debt, not through cash payments, but by considering ways that the Partnership could facilitate services and advice on ways to alleviate the impact of reduced weekly income; The impact of welfare reform is largely economic at an individual level, the report highlights these impacts and what services may help mitigate the impact. Appropriately targeted information and advice is key to supporting individuals and families find solutions. This could be through maximising income, or managing existing income, or minimising outgoings. The lack of awareness and understanding of welfare reform reported by participants was significant. In general, few participants (either in the focus groups or online survey) had any prior knowledge of government changes, and even fewer displayed any insight into the potential impact for them, their families and the community. It is not sufficient, however, to circulate the information without explanation of how the changes may apply to individuals and their families: some respondents had misunderstood information, or believed patently mythical ideas about changes, for instance, that if a bed is removed from a bedroom it will no longer be subject to removal of the “spare room subsidy”. One notable exception was the Hinckley and Bosworth group, which clearly had been well briefed by the authority, and had developed analytical views on the short and long term implications for individuals, families and their communities. Whilst there are certainly a range of information and advice available to customers, it hasn’t necessarily reached all those to whom it is directed, or who need it. It is therefore suggested that existing work and material is built upon and that all information and services should be simple, accessible and user friendly, designed from the viewpoint of the customer. 3 | Page Participants in receipt of welfare benefits had some first-hand knowledge of the impact on their own family’s situation, and where this impact was negative, some expressed concern about the lack of potential advocates who could intervene in times of difficulty, such as in dealing with (perceived) unhelpful staff at the Job Centre. This, coupled with a lack of knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefit regulations, had led to sanctions being applied, and a lengthy appeals process without income. Particular from younger respondents there was a strong desire to access work opportunities, but an awareness of the barriers facing them, such as lack of work skills, having no experience and even having no access to clothes suitable for attending an interview. It seems that this time of enthusiasm and motivation offers an opportunity to induct young people into the world of work before long-term worklessness becomes entrenched, so support and assistance in early adulthood may yield optimum value for money. For those with a reduced household income and also those affected by the removal of the spare room subsidy, moving to smaller or cheaper property is important. The report therefore addresses the impact of the changes in housing legislation of the supply of affordable homes. The changes brought about through housing legislation will reduce available affordable rented housing stock and also reduce the numbers of new affordable rented housing, due to an increased focus and funding for home-ownership products. There was consensus amongst local authorities and providers that there remains a need and demand for affordable rented housing and that joint working was a way forward to better meet this need. Younger participants were particularly concerned about the impact of welfare reform on their future housing options, and this, coupled with reduced supply of affordable housing, raises questions about the potential for supported housing providers being unable to facilitate move-on for young people, with secondary impact upon supported accommodation. Many of the older participants provided feedback and ideas on the standard of local services following years of shrinking resources: some were keen to focus on how their local environments could be improved or made more convenient/easier to use. The use of Asset Based Community Development models (ABCD) may be a way of capturing that commitment to communities by residents and help find cost-effective solutions. The Leicestershire Housing Services Partnership has a vital role in strategic oversight and monitoring the impact across Leicestershire. Importantly it has the potential to pull together a wide range of organisations and services providers to make the most effective use of available resources in addressing the impact of welfare reform and legislative change. 1.1. Recommendations summary The recommendations detailed here in summary are drawn from across the report where further detail and explanation can be found, including at Appendix 1 – Proposals from the focus groups / online survey. Strategic oversight Partnership working Make a clear and demonstrate shared vision and commitment to joint working in the responding to the recommendation and addressing the impact of welfare reform and legislative change. 4 | Page Strategic oversight Targeting limited resources Share practice in identifying those most in need, to ensure that limited resources are appropriately targeted. Carry out equality impact assessments