A review of homelessness in the local authority district of Eden May 2019 Completed by Neil Morland & Liz Griffiths Eden District Council Eden District Council is a non-unitary local authority area founded in 1 April 1974, its headquarters are in Penrith. The Council’s leadership consists of a Chairperson and a Leader the Executive currently has no overall control. The total area of the district is 827 square miles, the total population is 52,564, with 99.6% being of a white ethnic origin. Parts of the Lake District National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park are in the district. Neil Morland & Co Neil Morland & Co are housing consultants working throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Formed in 2011, our ambition is to reduce housing inequalities by improving social policies. We provide specialist advice on homelessness, housing allocation and supported living. Acknowledgement: This report was commissioned and funded by Eden District Council. Our thanks go to Louise Jeffery from Eden District Council and Stella Eggleston from Eden Housing Association, for providing invaluable assistance. We are grateful to local stakeholders who generously gave their time and materials to contribute towards this review, and especially those people who had experience of homelessness. Disclaimer: All views and any errors contained in this review are the responsibility of the author. The views expressed should not be assumed to be those of Eden District Council or any of the persons who contributed to this review. The information contained in this review is accurate at the date of publication. The information in this review should not be considered legal advice. Eden District Council, nor Neil Morland & Co, are not authorised to provide legal advice. No responsibility can be taken by the commissioners or the authors of this review for any loss or damage incurred, by any persons or organisation acting or refraining from action as result of any statement in this review. 2 Table of contents Executive summary .................................................................................................... 5 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Preamble ................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Definition of homelessness ...................................................................... 7 1.3 Methodology ............................................................................................ 8 1.4 National homelessness context ............................................................. 10 1.5 Structure of this report ........................................................................... 15 2.0 Levels of homelessness ................................................................................ 16 2.1 Current levels of homelessness ............................................................. 16 2.2 Future levels of homelessness .............................................................. 23 2.3 Conclusions about the levels of homelessness ..................................... 30 3.0 Preventing homelessness ............................................................................. 31 3.1 Early homelessness prevention activities .............................................. 32 3.1.1 Universal homelessness prevention activities ............................ 32 3.1.2 Targeted homelessness prevention activities ............................. 34 3.2 Pre-crisis homelessness prevention activities ....................................... 37 3.3 Preventing the reoccurrence of homelessness ...................................... 43 3.4 Conclusions about activities to prevent homelessness .......................... 43 4.0 Securing accommodation .............................................................................. 46 4.1 Temporary accommodation ................................................................... 47 4.2 Other accommodation ........................................................................... 52 4.2.1 Activities to relieve homelessness .............................................. 52 4.2.2 Housing support .......................................................................... 53 4.2.3 Private rented sector ................................................................... 54 4.2.4 Social rented housing ................................................................. 54 4.3 Conclusion about activities to secure accommodation .......................... 60 5. Providing support ........................................................................................... 61 5.1 Support needs of people experiencing homelessness........................... 61 5.2 Housing support..................................................................................... 64 5.3 Other support ......................................................................................... 66 5.4 Conclusions about activities to provide support ..................................... 67 6. Resources for tackling homelessness ........................................................... 68 6.1 Money .................................................................................................... 68 6.2 People ................................................................................................... 71 6.3 IT ........................................................................................................... 72 6.4 Conclusions about resources for tackling homelessness ...................... 73 7. Consultation................................................................................................... 74 7.1 Service user consultation ....................................................................... 74 7.2 Stakeholder consultation ....................................................................... 78 7.3 Conclusions about consultation ............................................................. 83 3 8. Findings ......................................................................................................... 84 8.1 Conclusions ........................................................................................... 84 8.1.1 Levels of homelessness ............................................................. 84 8.1.2 Preventing homelessness ........................................................... 85 8.1.3 Securing accommodation ........................................................... 86 8.1.4 Providing support ........................................................................ 88 8.1.5 Resources .................................................................................. 89 8.2 Recommendations ................................................................................. 90 8.2.1 Levels of homelessness ............................................................. 90 8.2.2 Preventing homelessness ........................................................... 90 8.2.3 Securing accommodation ........................................................... 92 8.2.4 Providing support ........................................................................ 93 8.2.5 Resources .................................................................................. 94 Appendices .............................................................................................................. 96 Appendix One – Record of Contributors ........................................................ 96 4 Executive summary 1. Levels of homelessness Eden’s levels of homelessness are significantly lower compared to Cumbria, the North West and England, with numbers falling over the past five years. Locally, the number households in temporary accommodation has increased, however this remains relatively low compared to elsewhere. Eden has a higher rate of single homeless males compared to elsewhere, however local levels of rough sleeping are very low. Eden’s future levels of homelessness are likely to increase, due to house prices to earnings ratios being are less favourable compared other areas. 2. Preventing homelessness Voluntary organisations provide comprehensive range of housing services available in Eden, to assist people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Housing associations have demonstrated a commitment to tackling homelessness. Eden District Council commission Eden Housing Association to administer statutory homelessness functions, this arrangement is achieving excellent outcomes for both organisations and people at risk of homelessness. Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council cooperate well to prevent homelessness for young people. Targeted homelessness prevention activities are needed for offender leaving the secure estate, patients leaving hospital, vulnerable adults, and those with poor health. Eden District Council, together with neighbouring local housing authorities, established pilots for helping armed forces veterans and victims of domestic abuse that are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Eden Housing Association carry out a range of activities to prevention homelessness, but more could be done to help people remain in their existing homeless. 3. Securing accommodation Eden Housing Association has established a private sector leasing arrangement to procured more temporary accommodation. Eden Housing Association needs to improve the range of activities carried out to relieve homelessness. Housing associations need