Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough sleeping Strategy 2020-2024

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 1 Our Vision Contents

Dover District Council is 1. Our Vision committed to giving access 2. Foreword to affordable housing Opening statement from Dover Portfolio Holder to those in our district for Housing and Health who need it. The Covid 19 3. Introduction pandemic has reinforced how important the link is 4. National Context between access to good Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 Affordability quality affordable housing Rough Sleeping and health. 5. Dover District Council Homelessness Review Local Affordability Dover District Council will The availability of social housing in the Dover district continue to strive to: Statutory Homelessness The use of Temporary Accommodation Rough Sleeping in the Dover area • End rough sleeping Tenancy Strategy • Prevent all forms of DDC Housing Allocation Scheme homelessness Achievements from Action Plan 2014 – 2019 • Improve temporary 6. Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 – 2024 accommodation and end the use of bed and 7. Action Plan 2020 – 2024 breakfast 8. Monitoring and Governance • Provide better housing outcomes for local people

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 3 Foreword Introduction I am pleased to introduce this strategy to the people and partners The Homelessness Act 2002 gave all local of Dover district. authorities a responsibility to produce a 5 year The Dover Homelessness strategy on homelessness for their areas, and and Rough Sleeping renew the strategy at the end of each period. Ending rough sleeping in the For the last 10 years Dover District Council Strategy is a robust Dover district and helping prevent has produced their Homelessness Strategy in response to the housing partnership with the other East Kent Councils homelessness is a priority for Dover of , Shepway District issues facing homeless Council and Thanet Distirct Council. This time District Council, and this strategy sets it has been decided a more detailed focus is people in the district. out how we will go about doing this. required to address local needs and demands. This strategy examines the progress made It is also important that rough against actions set out in our previous action Its aim is to better sleeping, the worst form of plan and the many successes achieved. understand the causes homelessness, has been given such In autumn 2019 we consulted with the many of homelessness, to partners who help us deliver homeless services prominence within the document. in the Dover district. This strategy sets out encourage partnership the priorities that we and our partners and We will work with our partners, stakeholders, voluntary agencies service users believe are important to meet our working, and ensure that and local people to find innovative ways to improve our response overarching ambitions. effective measures are put to the problem of homelessness. Our Action Plan lays out our priorities in tackling this issue. The immediate impact of the Covid in place to prevent and 19 pandemic was to add additional pressure to provide and meet the costs of temporary accommodation for those sleeping rough reduce the incidence of in the district. In the longer term there is the possibility of more homelessness in the future. families losing their homes in the aftermath of the pandemic and that the stress and strain of it may result in greater numbers of relationship breakdowns leading to homelessness. We will need to learn from others and use best practice to respond to these challenges and will continue to work to defeat homelessness and rough sleeping in our area.

Homelessness strategies enable councils to review how they have responded to the issue over the previous five years, and then develop an enhanced response for the next five-year period. Of course, this has to be taken into the context of issues within the wider housing market and general economic conditions at the time.

It is important that we have a plan to deal with this difficult issue, and that we work together to resolve it. I am glad that the strategy in particular notes the essential contribution of local housing and homelessness agencies and confirms that we will only defeat this problem by working in partnership.

I am happy to endorse the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2020 to 2024 and I hope that you will support Dover District Council in its efforts to provide local people with the homes that they need.

Councillor Derek Murphy

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 5 National context • The numbers of ‘statutory homeless’ The last five years have been challenging for those households stood at 56,600 in 2017/18. This compares with 53,930 households accepted working with homeless people. in 2013/14.

• From 2013/14, when there were 58,933 There have been important legislative and There have however been a number of families in temporary housing, to 2017/18, the administrative changes which have had to be welcome developments during this period. numbers have increased by 37%. By March implemented across the sector. A new benefit House building, including affordable housing, 2019 the number of families in temporary regime has been introduced which directly has begun to pick up, whilst assistance has housing stood at 85,040. affects people on low incomes, many of whom been provided to allow families to purchase are at risk of homelessness. National initiatives their own homes. House prices in turn have On 31st March 2020, the total number of have placed an emphasis on preventing recently stabilised, making accommodation households in temporary accommodation homelessness and reducing rough sleeping. more affordable. Curbs on the buy-to-let Homelessness Reduction was 93,000, up 9.4% from 85,040 a year market have put pressure on rents in the earlier on 31st March 2019. This increase is We face a number of significant challenges private sector, again improving Act 2017 driven by single households, up 28.5% to as we move towards the end of 2020, the affordability. 29,390 on 31st March 2020, while households English local authorities faced a major full effect of which is difficult to predict. The with children were more stable, up 2.3% legislative change in how statutory impact of the Covid 19 pandemic is yet to be to 63,610. These figures may reflect people homelessness is managed, through the fully realised and the temporary suspension of housed in emergency accommodation introduction of The Homelessness Reduction evictions and possession actions could result under the COVID-19 ‘Everyone in’ scheme. in a significant increase in the numbers of Act 2017. The Act took effect on 3rd April 2018, and places new duties on councils to work families losing their livelihoods and homes. The • A total of 68,470 households were owed with homeless families to prevent or relieve decision to leave the European Union may also either a prevention or relief duty during homelessness before a main homeless duty is impact upon homelessness. October to December 2019. Between these accepted. Many local authorities have already dates 64,520 homeless families had their been actively helping homeless households in duty ended. The main reason for the duty this way, but there is now a statutory footing to ending was by securing a tenancy lasting at ensure all councils comply. least 6 months in the private rented sector, assisting nearly 11,000 families. The 2017 Act gives councils the power to discharge their Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 duty in this way; prior to the Act they had to Main changes to legislation secure private accommodation for at least 12 months. This proved difficult due to the standard assured shorthold tenancy offered • Work to prevent homelessness of all in the private sector usually lasting for an eligible applicants likely to be homeless in initial 6 months. 56 days

• Work to relieve homelessness of all eligible Households in Temporary Accommodation applicants who become homeless - England • Take reasonable steps to secure No of Households accommodation for those who approach

for assistance 2013/14 58,933 2014/15 64,710 • New ‘Duty to Refer’ for public bodies 2015/16 71,670 working with homeless people, to council 2016/17 77,220 homelessness service. 2017/18 80,720 2018/19 85,040 2019/20 93,000

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 7 In response to the Covid 19 pandemic the Affordability Not only have the changes to the benefits Rough Sleeping Government announced the ‘Everyone In’ system made private rented accommodation initiative in March 2020, instructing local Affordability is often cited as one of the main The number of people rough sleeping in less affordable for many low-income families, authorities to bring rough sleepers off the underlying reasons for homelessness. Many England has risen dramatically in the last there has also been an increase in the streets and give them access to emergency homeless people are on low incomes relative to decade. number of families becoming homeless accommodation. This has presented those the UK average, or rely on state benefits. from this tenure. Termination of an assured • Since 2010, rough sleeping figures rose by who work with rough sleepers the unique shorthold tenancy is now the reason given 141% to a total of 4,266 by the end of 2019. opportunity to work with them while they Since 2012 there have been restrictions in the for homelessness by 25% of all homeless are safely housed to provide support to try to Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. These presentations to local authorities. break the cycle of homelessness and rough rates determine the maximum amount of Number of Rough Sleepers - England sleeping. To date 18 rough sleepers have been Housing Benefit that is payable in a particular The introduction of Universal Credit has had accommodated by Dover District Council locality for each property size. Restrictions Year Rough Sleepers some negative effects to low-income families, through the initiative and 9 of those have in the LHA rates were seen by the UK 2010 1,768 but the phased roll-out has not seen the moved onto long-term supported housing and Government as a tool to reduce the rise in 2011 2,181 impact that some feared. Modifications to the private housing. private rents, and therefore the increase in the 2012 2,309 policy have safeguarded the most vulnerable, total Housing Benefit bill. 2013 2,414 but, as with changes to any benefit, confusion With the help of Government funding, the 2014 2,744 with a new policy can lead to payments being council are continuing to accommodate rough • For the 4 years up to April 2020, LHA rates 2015 3,569 delayed or stopped. It is the policy of benefit sleepers during the winter of 2020 with the had been frozen, making access to the 2016 4,134 sanctions, which can be up to 3 times more assistance of the Dover Outreach Centre. We private rented sector difficult for those 2017 4,751 than Job Seekers Allowance, that some of the will also be purchasing 6 self-contained units reliant on help with their rent. 2018 4,677 worst effects are felt. As the Universal Credit for multiple-disadvantaged rough sleepers 2019 4,266 payment now includes the housing benefit to access longer term supported • Rents have continued to rise in the private element, any restrictions on benefits will housing, which will be available sector, with the UK outside London seeing impact on the ability of households to pay their from March 2021. increases of between 1.1% and 2.3% annually The Government announced a new Rough housing costs, leading to an increased risk of since 2014. Sleeping Strategy in 2018. Its original aim was homelessness. to halve rough sleeping by 2022, and to end it • The demand continues to be strong for by 2027. This objective has now been brought private rented accommodation whilst supply forward two years to 2025. is no longer increasing. Councils have received significant funding • The total number of private rented through the Rough Sleeping Initiative and properties in England has been falling since Rapid Rehousing Pathway to help them meet 2016, possibly explained by tax restrictions the target in their areas. Local authorities placed on the buy-to-let market making have also been encouraged to add new investment less attractive. Rough Sleeping to the title of their Homelessness Strategies, to underline the importance of this area.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 9 Local affordability The availability of social housing in the Dover Review Average Dover house district price in 2019 Total number of social homes let in Dover Dover District Council’s Homelessness Review £276,091 district was carried out late in 2019. The average purchase price for a property in Year Council Lets HA Lets the Dover area in 2019 was £276,091, slightly higher than the neighbouring districts of 2014/15 237 155 To help inform this strategy we: Thanet and Folkestone & Hythe. Dover house 2015/16 280 189 prices are however significantly lower than the 2016/17 264 199 average for Kent, at £342,070, and the South 2017/18 217 115 • Engaged and consulted with organisations East, at £383,324. 2018/19 221 120 delivering homelessness related services in 2019/20 170 133 Dover area house prices have increased by 38% the Dover district between 2010 and 2019. The availability of social housing is a key Property prices within Dover district vary determinant in projecting homelessness • Collected data and evidence from them and considerably, with Sandwich and the north trends, as for many low-income families this being the most expensive areas, then Deal, is the only housing option available to them. our own records about services that work well and Dover town and the south being the areas There have been less social homes let to Dover where prices are more affordable. households since 2015. The number of homes and any challenges we face let in 2014/15 was 392, but this fell to 303 or a Average earnings have not kept pace with reduction of 23% by 2019/20. property prices over the last 10 years. The • Reviewed data relating to statutory weekly earnings of Dover residents in 2019 Social housing lets can fluctuate due to various were just above the Kent average, at £594.60 factors, such as: homelessness per week. Overall, earnings increased across Kent by only 12.7% between 2010 and 2019. • the number of new housing association (HA) properties being built • Reviewed our use of temporary Average rent in Dover • New build schemes can lead to council accommodation tenants transferring to the new homes in in 2019 greater numbers, therefore boosting the £673 per month number of council vacancies • Reviewed rough sleeping and sofa surfing in the district • Social housing stock is eroded by Right to Private rental prices follow a similar pattern Buy sales whilst the number of new builds within Dover district. The average price of a struggles to bridge the gap. private rented property in 2018/19 was £673 a • Reviewed the accommodation and support month. This compares with £869 for Kent and Every English local authority maintains a £980 for the South East. waiting list, called a Housing Needs Register, provided by DDC and partner organisations of households wishing to register for housing Dover’s Local Housing Allowance rate for a in their local area. Legal requirements to allow 2-bed home was £498.64 in 2019, significantly anyone to apply for housing were changed The information collected from our review below the £658 rent for this property size. This by the Localism Act 2011, which gave councils has been used to inform the information rose to £573.43 in April 2020 when LHA rates considerable discretion as to who they would were increased. allow onto their registers. provided in the next sections. In the Dover area, the council’s housing register had 1,559 live applications as of December 2019. This figure has been reducing steadily since 2014, when the number of applications stood at 2,624.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 11 Statutory Homelessness The use of temporary Rough Sleeping in the Tenancy strategy

Prior to the introduction of the Homelessness Accommodation Dover area It is a requirement of the Localism Act 2011 that Reduction Act in April 2018, local councils were all local authorities have a tenancy strategy required to assess homeless households in In April 2019 there were 170 families in Dover District Council and Folkestone in place setting out the expectations of social relation to 5 key tests, that is: temporary housing, compared to just 46 & Hythe District Council jointly received housing providers operating in the district. households in April 2014. £414,000 in 2019 from the Ministry of Housing, Homelessness Tests Communities and Local Government to tackle Total Cost of Temporary Accommodation rough sleeping in their areas. In early 2020 an DDC housing allocation • Are they eligible? extra £469,000 was awarded, securing services scheme • Are they homeless? Net Cost for a further 12 months. • Are they in priority need? 2014/15 £208,677 This funding has allowed the councils to Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 required the • Are they unintentionally homeless? Council to have a published allocation scheme • Do they have a local connection? 2015/16 £235,034 employ local homeless agencies including 2016/17 £460,672 Porchlight, Serveco and Sanctuary Supported setting out how the authority will allocate social housing. Our scheme uses a banding Councils would only have a ‘main housing 2017/18 £965,371 Living to help people sleeping rough and 2018/19 £543,406 assist them into accommodation. Other local system to assess priority among applicants duty’ to secure accommodation for those on the housing register. The allocations policy households who passed these hurdles. 2019/20 £747,935 charities including the Dover Outreach Centre and Emmaus have also made a significant ensures that priority is given to those with a reasonable preference and that households In the year 2013/14 the council accepted 56 contribution in reducing the overall number of The rise in families in temporary people on the streets. who are homeless within the meaning homeless households, but by 2017/18 the figure of part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 was 173 households. This represents an increase accommodation is also reflected in the total cost to the council, as can be seen in the table A further £33,500 funding was awarded late in are given reasonable preference in accepted homeless households of 209% along with others on the within 4 years. above. The large reduction in costs in 2018/19 2019 to help rough sleepers into emergency is partly due to housing benefit being brought accommodation throughout the winter register. forward from the previous year. months. This money has allowed the councils Homeless Acceptances to take 35 rough sleepers off the streets of In Dover, the average length of stay over the Dover and Folkestone who were unable to gain in Dover last year was between 3 to 4 months for each access to the Winter Shelters. 173 households homeless family. Rough Sleeping in Dover There was no direct trend in the number of homeless households accepted across the Number county. Some authorities, such as Gravesham Borough Council, saw their figures reduce by 2015 9 50% between 2014 and 2018. However, councils 2016 9 such as Folkestone & Hythe District Council 2017 13 (219% increase), (118% 2018 20 increase) and Tonbridge & Malling Borough 2019 9 C (235% increase) also saw dramatic rises in theiouncilr homeless acceptance figures during the same 4-year period. Dover had the highest level of accepted homeless households in Kent in 2017/18, if compared on a local population basis. Dover accepted 3.4 applications per 1,000 households, just above Dartford and Maidstone councils, but significantly higher than Folkestone and Hythe (2.66) and Canterbury (1.05). The number of homeless households within Dover Distirct Council who have seen their homelessness prevented has risen from 130 cases in 2014/15, to 345 cases in 2019/20. Actions taken by officers to relieve homelessness amounted to 397 cases in 2019/20, where the figures five years before were negligible.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 13 In the intervening five years there has been Achievements from many successful outcomes resulting from the 6. Tackling Rough Sleeping key actions listed within the strategy. The most Action Plan 2014-2019 Working with Folkestone & Hythe District important and relevant outcomes are listed Council and utilising government funding below. In the previous Homelessness Strategy, Dover to implement the Rough Sleeping Initiative District Council set out six priorities that they and the Rapid Rehousing Pathway. had identified to tackle homelessness within 1. Improving housing the district. They were: Improved the Severe Weather Emergency options Protocol (SWEP) by reducing the number • Preventing and responding to homelessness of days of cold weather from three days before a crisis point is reached Introduction of Rent Guarantee Scheme, to one, taking account of severe adverse Local Housing Allowance Top-up Scheme weather conditions, and using the ‘feels like’ • Preventing and responding to rough and use of Discretionary Housing Payments approach to cold temperatures. sleeping to assist homeless families into the private rented sector. • Providing high quality housing options 7. Providing high-quality advice before a crisis point is reached and A revised Rent Deposit Bond Scheme appropriate advice, accommodation and introduced in 2015 to make the system Housing Options Advice support if crisis occurs more sustainable. 4. Early identification of Provision of on-line housing advice tools • Providing good quality housing that local Potential Homelessness using the Kent Homechoice and Entitled To people can afford and making best use of 2. Reduction in Youth websites. the housing stock Homelessness Pre-Eviction Protocol set up by East Kent Attend Kent Housing Options Group and Housing, including the use of the Duty to South East Homelessness Forum. • Promoting partnership working and sharing Dover District Council continues to work Refer system. best practice within the Kent Young Persons Protocol. Housing Options Information Guide Representation and links to the Dover Anti- • Delivering excellent homelessness services. produced and given to potentially homeless 10 units of accommodation-based support Social Behaviour Action Group and the families. within the district, helping keep youth Community Safety Unit. homelessness at low levels. From these six priorities 8. Develop Partnership the council identified 23 5. Minimise the use of 3. Mitigate the impact of Working Arrangements objectives to achieve the Bed and Breakfast Welfare Reform Accommodation Fortnightly case review meetings held with aims of the strategy. several local agencies to discuss rough Monthly meetings between Dover Housing Dover DC has engaged with a number sleepers. Options, East Kent Services (Civica), of Privately Managed temporary Department of Work and Pensions and East accommodation providers and now has Agencies regularly attend housing options Kent Housing. access to approximately 60 mainly self- meetings and shadow the team. contained units for homeless families. Financial support for team of Benefit and Have produced joint bids for government Money Advisors within landlord services. The council no longer place homeless funding with other Kent councils including families with children in bed and breakfast Private Rented Sector Access Scheme, Triage team within Dover Housing Options accommodation for more than six weeks, Prison Navigator Scheme, Rough Sleeping to advise on Housing Benefits. adhering to the national legal standard. Initiative and Rapid Rehousing Pathway. Quarterly meetings between East Kent Councils and Civica. 9. Implement Housing Options Review actions

Restructure of Dover Housing Options team and additional funding from the government via Homelessness Reduction Act 2018 New Burdens monies. Three new posts created within the team adding resilience to the service.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 15 Strategy 2020-24

Partners welcomed the increase in resources 3. Using Resources 5. End Rough Sleeping Dover District Council for rough sleepers but stressed the need for is required by the the funding to be maintained. Effectively A person sleeping in the streets is one of We have also sought in this action plan to the most visual and distressing forms of Homelessness Act 2002 to ensure that the homeless services available The Council has received substantial homelessness. Dover has not escaped review and publish their to local people are widely known and easily grants from central government in the last the national increase in rough sleeping, accessible. few years due to the increased focus on but there are signs that the trend may be Homelessness and Rough preventing and reducing homelessness and improving. We have sought to identify gaps in current rough sleeping. Sleeping Strategy every five provision, or where services could be improved Reasons for the steep rise in rough sleeping years. and enhanced. In conjunction with partners, We can always benefit from more funding are difficult to pinpoint, but many have the council has grouped the objectives of the so it is important that we use what we have suggested cuts to local government in the most effective ways. By doing so we The strategy should have an action plan which action plan into five strategic themes. These services has led to less support being made themes are; will improve housing outcomes and help available to vulnerable adults. Other reasons aims to improve the services to homeless more homeless people. persons within the district. put forward include the introduction of 1. Tackling Homelessness the single room rate for housing benefit The council already has defined statutory 4. Improving Options for for under-35 year olds, and other welfare duties to the homeless which are stated in the Together benefit reductions and sanctions. Housing Act 1996, Part VII as amended by the Homeless Households 2002 Act and the Homelessness Reduction Act Partnership working has been identified as 2017. the best way to deliver services to homeless Dover District Council, like many Kent people. Working in silos without taking councils, has seen a large increase in the Dover District Council has involved local account of the work of other agencies will number of families they have accepted as partners in the formation of the draft strategy not produce the best outcomes. homeless and owe the main housing duty. by holding a series of Focus Group meetings to stimulate debate, recognise what works It is by working together that the aims Since the introduction of the Homelessness and what could improve, and seek to set within the action plan will be met. Reduction Act in April 2018, the emphasis meaningful objectives. Members have also has been on preventing and relieving been involved at Scrutiny level. homelessness, irrespective of whether the 2. Enhanced homeless person is in priority need. These The action plan has been produced to reflect Accommodation Options changes have resulted in more homeless the views of our partners. They have said that households being assisted by the council. we work better if we work together. This also The increase in use of temporary reduces the risk of duplication in services. It is likely that housing homeless families accommodation strongly suggests that in the private rented sector will continue councils have been unable to move families We have recognised that we need to reduce to increase, as more local authorities make onto more permanent arrangements such use of the new legislative provisions. In the the barriers for local people to access housing as a council or housing association tenancy. in the private sector, and to provide more same way the number of families accepted Local authorities have also been faced with for the main rehousing duty has fallen by options for people to help them gain housing rising costs in temporary provision, as they for their families. 40% since the 2017 Act was introduced, seek more properties in the private sector to suggesting less homeless households will house homeless families. The Focus Groups also identified a need to be housed in a social rented property in the future. provide better temporary accommodation for Reflecting the national picture, the number those who the council has a duty to rehouse, of homeless households provided with Families’ housing choices are greatly and to end the use of unsatisfactory bed and temporary accommodation within Dover breakfast. affected by their income levels. With limited has also increased dramatically in recent access to purchasing their own home, lower years. income households are disproportionally accommodated in the rented sector, either a private or a social tenancy.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 17 Action Plan 2020-24

3.5 Fully utilise existing Government grants 1. Tackling Homelessness 2. Enhanced including the Flexible Homelessness 5. End Rough Sleeping Support Grant, New Burdens Funding and Together Accommodation Options 5.1 Develop a plan with Folkestone & Hythe the Homelessness Prevention Grant, which District Council to provide a Somewhere currently contributes to staff resources, 1.1 Reinstate regular Homelessness Hub 2.1 Do not use bed and breakfast Safe to Stay Hub for entrenched rough temporary accommodation costs and meetings which involve local homelessness accommodation for families with children, sleepers. agencies. and 16-17 year olds, for more than six weeks. prevention options. 5.2 Promote the establishment of a Housing 3.6 Produce bids for government funding for 1.2 Action Plan priorities from the 2.2 Reduce the use of bed and breakfast First scheme for rough sleepers in any new or ad-hoc homelessness initiatives Homelessness and Rough Sleeping accommodation for all households. partnership with Folkestone & Hythe such as the Cold Weather Fund, Housing Strategy to be monitored by the District Council. Homelessness Hub. 2.3 Improve the quality of temporary housing First or the Private Sector Access Fund. through the provision of council-owned 5.3 Continue to support multi-agency rough 1.3 Improve websites of council and agencies units. 4. Improving Options for sleeper case review meetings on a monthly to ensure they clearly explain local basis. homelessness services. 2.4 Reduce the use of all forms of temporary Homeless Households accommodation by developing effective 5.4 Work with partners and the Ministry 1.4 Support the development of a Hospital prevention measures and move-on options. 4.1 Increase the availability of private rented of Housing, Communities and Local Discharge Protocol with Folkestone & accommodation to homeless families Government (MHCLG) to meet the Hythe DC and The Peabody Trust. 3. Using Resources by exploring rent guarantor schemes, government’s target of ending rough engaging with local landlords and breaking sleeping by 2025. 1.5 Support the new Prison Navigator service Effectively down barriers to rent. provided by Canterbury City Council, 5.5 Conduct research to understand the assisting staff and attending Board 3.1 Regularly review the roles and 4.2 Review the effectiveness of Personalised underlying causes of rough sleeping to meetings. responsibilities of Dover District Council’s Housing Plans as required by the help inform the 2025 target. Housing Options Team to ensure that Homelessness Reduction Act, and update 1.6 Work to provide a consistent response to staff resources are being used successfully where necessary to ensure the product is 5.6 Ensure Dover District Council attracts requests for help from homeless people by to prevent homelessness, in light of best understood by service users, and boosts the the maximum amount of grant from the developing toolkits with partner agencies. practice across the sector. prevention and relief of homelessness. MHCLG through the Rough Sleeping Initiative by developing productive 1.7 Participate in forums such as the Kent 3.2 Maintain and manage viable Rent Deposit, 4.3 Update and regularly review web services relationships with officials and producing Homeless Officers Group and Kent Rent in Advance and Discretionary to local homeless people across the sector, high quality bid documentation. Homechoice to continue to develop best Housing Payment funds to continue to ensure there is clear and easily accessible practice, such as the Young Persons to help homeless households secure information that can help prevent Protocol, and keep up-to-date with accommodation in the private rented homelessness at the earliest possible stage. homelessness initiatives. sector. 4.4 Investigate and evaluate innovative ways 1.8 Actively promote services to homeless 3.3 Reduce the cost to Dover District Council to increase the provision of housing to people in easily accessible areas eg GP for temporary accommodation by homeless families, such as empty homes, surgeries, supermarkets etc. exploring more cost-effective alternatives. home shares, rooms to let and resettlement Also ensure that housing benefit claims are and relocation schemes. processed quickly, where appropriate. 4.5 Work with partners to facilitate shared 3.4 Continue to support and fund ownership. homelessness services provided by partner agencies throughout Dover district, and facilitate and assist any grant opportunities that arise.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 19 Monitoring and Governance Formal consultation of the strategy will include the publication of the draft strategy on the council’s website, and the promotion of this in social media. Stakeholders, service users and local people will all be encouraged to have their say on the direction of homelessness services within the district, prior to development of the final strategy document before approval being sought by the Council itself.

Monitoring, evaluation and review of the Action Plan will be a function of the Homelessness Hub; a Dover-wide group organised by the council, and includes partners, stakeholders and local agencies within its membership.

The Action Plan will be a standing item at Homelessness Hub meetings. Progress on individual actions will be discussed on a quarterly basis. Where necessary, actions will be updated or amended.

The progress of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan will be regularly reported to Members of the Council, and the wider community.

Dover District Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024