Enfield’s Homelessness · 2013-09-19 · Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 Page 7 of 58...

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Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy

July 2013 – July 2018

For Consultation


CONTENTS

FOREWORD .......................................................................................... 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................ 4

ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS – ENFIELD’S STRATEGY ............... 5

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5

Reviewing Homelessness and Developing Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy .................... 5

What does Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy cover? ....................................................... 6

What Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy does not cover and why ..................................... 7

Part 1: Context for Developing Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy .... 8

National Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness ............................................. 8

Regional Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness ............................................. 8

Local Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness .................................................. 8

Background about Enfield ........................................................................................... 10

The Housing Market in Enfield ..................................................................................... 12

Key challenges .............................................................................................................................................. 16

Part 2: Homelessness in Enfield ....................................................... 18

Defining Homelessness ................................................................................................ 18

Homelessness Trends in Enfield ................................................................................... 18

Reasons for Homelessness ........................................................................................... 20

Enfield’s vision and strategic objectives for tackling homelessness ............................... 24

Enfield’s vision ............................................................................................................................................. 24

Enfield’s Ambitions for its Homelessness Strategy ...................................................................................... 24

Ambition 1– Preventing homelessness in Enfield .......................................................... 26

Services Provided by Enfield Council ........................................................................................................... 26

The role of voluntary and community sector organisations ........................................................................ 32

The role of the North London Sub-regional Partnership (NLSR) .................................................................. 33

Key Challenges ............................................................................................................................................. 33

During 2013 – 18 we will .............................................................................................................................. 33

Ambition 2: Accessing suitable, affordable accommodation in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of homeless households and those at risk of homelessness .................. 35

Fulfilling the Council’s statutory duty to provide emergency housing for households owed a housing duty under the homelessness law ....................................................................................................................... 35

Managing demand for Enfield’s emergency housing................................................................................... 36

Key Challenges ............................................................................................................................................. 39


During 2013-18 we will ................................................................................................................................ 40

Ambition 3 - Safeguarding and supporting homeless households with assessed support needs .......................................................................................................................... 41

Pathways for supporting homeless households and those at risk of homelessness ................................... 41

Key Challenges: ............................................................................................................................................ 48

During 2013-18 we will: ............................................................................................................................... 48

Ambition 4: Provide an Excellent Standard of Customer Service ................................... 50

A new service model for Community Housing Services ............................................................................... 50

Key Challenges ............................................................................................................................................. 53

During 2013 – 18 we will .............................................................................................................................. 53

Ambition 5: Provide Value for Money Services ............................................................. 55

Key Challenges ............................................................................................................................................. 56

During 2013 – 18 we will .............................................................................................................................. 56

Part 3: Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy Action Plan .................... 58

Performance management of Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan ........... 58


FOREWORD – Cllr Oykener, Lead member for Housing and Area

Improvement

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - to be written

Economic downturn and the government’s policy response to this, particularly

welfare reform and social housing reforms


ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS – ENFIELD’S STRATEGY

Introduction

This is Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy 2013 – 2018 which sets out the Council’s plans for effectively tackling homelessness in the borough over the next 5 years. The Homelessness Strategy supports Enfield’s Housing Strategy which sets out the borough’s long term plans for housing in Enfield, including housing supply. Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy has been developed at a time of unprecedented change, including social housing reforms and welfare reforms. It builds on the achievements of Enfield’s previous Homelessness Strategy whilst responding and adapting to the changing environment in which homelessness and support services are delivered. A key aim of this Homelessness Strategy is preventing homelessness and providing assistance to individuals and households to enable them to make informed choices about sustainable, affordable housing options.

Reviewing Homelessness and Developing Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy

The Homelessness Act 2002 places a duty on local housing authorities to carry out a homelessness review and, in consultation with local partners and stakeholders formulate and publish a Homelessness Strategy based on the findings of that review, at least every five years. Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy has been developed using findings from a comprehensive Review of homelessness undertaken between January-June 2013. Enfield’s Homelessness Review included an assessment of the level and trends in homelessness and of existing provision and services for those facing homelessness in the borough.

The keys stages involved were:

o Setting up a Homelessness Strategy Steering Group made up of statutory, private sector and voluntary organisations to oversee the Review and development of the strategy. Membership for the steering Group is set out in Appendix A

o Setting up a Homelessness Operational Steering Group to involve front-line staff in shaping and developing the Homelessness Strategy. Membership for the steering Group is set out in Appendix B.


o Consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including private and voluntary sector partners, Council Members, local residents, service users and staff (See Appendix C).

o A review and evaluation of outcomes from the previous homelessness strategy and action plan 2008-2013

o A review of statistical data and trends about homelessness.

o Analysis of recent Census data to understand the demographics and potential growth in population in Enfield for the future.

o Comparing Enfield’s performance against best practise and other Local Authorities performance.

o Writing the Strategy and producing a detailed 5 year action plan.

What does Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy cover?

Part 1 sets out:

o How national, regional and local government policies, laws, and the impact of the economic downturn, are affecting the way Enfield addresses homelessness and provides appropriate services.

o Background information about Enfield as a place, its people, its

economy, its housing markets and deprivation levels in the borough

Part 2 sets out o Enfield’s Strategic vision and Ambitions for addressing homelessness o The key challenges ahead o What Enfield and its partners plan to do to address the challenges and

meet the Council’s ambitions for addressing homelessness over the next five years

Part 3 contains Enfield’s detailed Homelessness Strategy Action Plan (to be developed during the consultation period)


What Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy does not cover and why

Enfield’s wider plans for addressing long term housing supply are outside the scope of this strategy. This is because the borough’s plans for maximising housing supply, shaping supply and making best use of existing stock are set out in Enfield’s Housing Strategy 2012-2027. New plans for Additional and selective Licensing will be added to the Strategic Action Plan for Year 2.

This Strategy will set out the borough’s Strategic position on accessing suitable,

affordable accommodation in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of homeless

households and those at risk of homelessness


Part 1: Context for Developing Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy

Enfield’s review of homelessness in the borough and revised Homelessness Strategy have been informed by strategic and policy objectives at national and regional level. This chapter will touch on these influences and their relationship with Enfield Council’s strategic objectives and key strategies.

National Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness

The key national level strategies and policies that are influencing Enfield’s Homeless Strategy include:

Government’s National Housing Strategy for England: Laying the Foundations, November 2011

Simplifying the welfare system and making work pay, August 13

Improving the rented housing sector, June 2013

A fairer future for social housing, November 2010

Tackling Overcrowding in England: an Action Plan

Providing housing support for older and vulnerable people, April 2011,

Adult Safeguarding: Statement of government policy, May 2011

Promoting Health and Well-being: Implementing the national health promotion strategy

Appendix D provides more detailed information about some of these strategies, policies and plans.

Regional Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness

From the 1st April 2012 the Mayor became directly responsible for strategic housing, regeneration and economic development in London. The Mayors strategies and policies that influence Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy are:

The Revised London Housing Strategy

The Mayor’s Covenant Appendix E provides more detailed information about some of these strategies, policies and plans.

Local Strategies and Policies relating to Homelessness

Addressing homelessness is an important local strategic priority for Enfield. It supports Enfield Council’s corporate vision ‘to make Enfield a better place to live and


work, delivering fairness for all, growth and sustainability and strong communities.’ Enfield’s plans for addressing homelessness support the council’s aims and objectives.

Enfield’s Homeless Strategy sits underneath and is supported by a range of local strategies, policies and plans. Many of these are set out in Enfield’s fifteen year Housing Strategy and reproduced below.

Enfield’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-19

Enfield’s Housing Strategy 2012-27

Enfield’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy

Shaping Enfield’s Future: Enfield’s Place Shaping Strategy 2013

Safer and Stronger Communities Board (SSCB) Partnership Plan 2013-14

The Drive Towards Prosperity: Enfield’s Child and Family Poverty Strategy

2012

Enfield’s Children & young Peoples Strategy 2011-15

Enfield’s Change and Challenge Strategy 2013-15

Enfield’s Allocations Scheme

Enfield’s Tenancy Strategy 2013

Enfield’s Skills and Employment Strategy (in development)

Enfield’s Leaner Programme

Enfield’s Estate Renewal Plans

Enfield’s Older Persons’ Accommodation (in development)

Enfield’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (in development)

Enfield’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy (in development)

Safeguarding Adults strategy 2012-15

Housing Assistance Policy (in development)

Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Autism (in development)

Mental Health Strategy (in development)

Enfield Tackling Gangs & Serious Youth Violence Strategy (in development)

Unauthorised Encampment Policy in development)

Appendix F provides more detailed information about some of these strategies,

policies and plans.


Background about Enfield

Enfield as a Place Enfield is located in outer North London approximately 12 miles from the centre of London. The authority covers an area 82.2 square kilometres, comprising of large amounts of green open space in the north, with built up mainly residential areas in the east that incorporate a range of industrial sectors.

Enfield’s People Information from the 2011 census indicated that Enfield’s population has increased by 14.2% over the last 10 years with 312,5001 people living in Enfield. This is primarily as a result of the birth rate outweighing the death rate, making it the fourth largest borough population in London. Of the 312,500 residents living in Enfield at the time of the 2011 census, 64.9% of those were born in the UK, which is in line with the London average of 63.3%. Of Enfield’s population 22.4% are under the age of 15, which is the fourth highest in London. A high proportion of under 15s in the borough has the potential to create a large new generation who may require housing and may be at increased risk of homelessness in the future in Enfield.

Population of Enfield, Male and Female: 2011 and 2030

Source: Office for National Statistics

There is predicted to be substantial growth in the number of residents aged over 65 and exceptional growth in residents over 80 in the next 20 years. The increasing elderly population are likely to place an increased pressure on resources to prevent

1 2011 Census information Office for National Statistics.


homelessness such as grants, adaptations and a potential demand for older persons’ accommodation. Levels of Deprivation and Inequality in Enfield The National Statistics Office produces an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) which measures deprivation by combining a number of social and economic indicators. This depicts Enfield as one of the most deprived outer London boroughs. The IMD indicates Enfield has risen to the 64th most deprived local authority in England from 70th2 in the last 5 years. Additional statistics provide supporting evidence that deprivation is rising in parts of the borough. For example, Enfield has the 8th highest child poverty rate3 in London and the 20th highest in England. In 2010, figures showed that 12% of Enfield households were suffering from fuel poverty4

. Enfield has the 5th highest rate of fuel poverty in London, and the 4th highest rate in England with 13,124 households affected. Enfield is a borough of contrast. A detailed analysis at super output area (SOA) level shows that within more affluent areas of the borough, in particular central and north west of the borough, there are areas included in the least deprived half of the country. The analysis also shows that the number of SOA’s in the least deprived areas increased from 52 to 545, giving some weight to the fact that the gap between the socially deprived east of the borough and the less deprived west is widening.

Enfield experiences high population churn. Enfield’s local economic assessment6

reported in 2011 that more people moved out of Enfield to other parts of the UK

than those that moved into the Enfield from the UK. Inward migration to Enfield is predominantly from outside the UK rather than domestic migration, resulting in an increasingly diverse population. Welfare reform is expected to have a further impact on Enfield’s population change, those affected by the change to LHA and benefit Caps may migrate from inner London and some Enfield Residents will migrate out to cheaper areas of the country.

Levels of Benefit dependency in Enfield

The table below shows above average increases for working age benefit claimants

since 2008.

2 Enfield’s draft JSNA - Indices of multiple deprivation figs 2010

3 Enfield’s child and family poverty strategy

4 The Department for energy and climate change statistics 2010

5 Enfield’s draft JSNA – Indices of multiple deprivation figs 2010

6 Enfield’s Economic Assessment Feb 2011


% Change in Benefit Claimants Aug-08 to Aug-12

Enfield London Enfield Rank

Total Working Age Claimants 11.0% 7.4% 6th of 33

Job Seeker Allowance Claimants 78.8% 61.7% 5th of 33

ESA / Incapacity Benefit Claimants 7.6% 4.9% 7th of 33

Carer Benefit Claimants 36.3% 33.5% 11th of 33

Source: DWP

The increase in the number of benefit claimants is indicative of broad financial stress among some of Enfield’s residents. Enfield Council is committed to addressing worklessnness and has in place a range of partnership initiatives to address unemployment and training needs within the borough. A Skills and Employment Strategy is under development which will set out the boroughs long term plans. Enfield’s Economy7 Since 2005, Enfield has seen a 5,568 job gains. The highest jobs by sector included: 1,819 in construction, 1,619 in Business Support Services and 1,354 in Health & Education. The Public Sector is Enfield’s largest sector employer with about 40% of its workforce living in the area. The sector is dealing with budget cuts and re-structuring, which together with the wind down of the Primary Care Trust (PCT), job losses were predicted. However, re-structuring of the Health & Social Care sector and the transition to Personalisation was predicted to create new jobs, including jobs on a self-employed basis Enfield is under-shopped and there is capacity to grow the borough’s retail footprint, mainly in our town centres, creating an estimated 4,270 new jobs by 2025, with

further growth possible as Enfield’s population grows.

The Housing Market in Enfield

The housing context for the borough is set out in detail in Enfield’s Housing Strategy 2012-27.

7 ibid


This section of the strategy provides summary information about the market conditions in Enfield for the different housing sectors. An understanding of the housing markets in Enfield, and the changes happening within them, is important for addressing homelessness in the borough. There were 119,916 households in Enfield recorded at the 2011census. The table below gives a breakdown of the housing of those households by tenure type

Tenure8 No. of households % of households 2011

Council 11,625 9.7%

Registered Provider 7,407 6.2%

Private Rented Sector 26,591 22.2%

Owner Occupied 70,549 58.8%

Temp. Accommodation 2,041 1.7%

Rent Free 1,703 1.4%

Total 119,916 100.00%

Owner occupation in Enfield The 2011 census reports that Enfield’s owner occupied sector accounts for 58% of all the dwellings in Enfield this is a considerable drop from the 2001 Census figure which showed owner occupation accounted for 69.9% of all dwellings. House Prices The table below shows average house prices in Enfield, there has been an average annual price increase of 2%9

Land Registry figs on Ave House Prices in Enfield

Month Detached Average

Semi Average

Terraced Flat

April 201310 556,761 335,976 250,047 205,050

April 2001 316,537 191,014 142,160 116,578

The high cost of home ownership has made it increasingly difficult for young people to buy somewhere to live with prices rising faster than earnings. At the same time mortgage availability has also shrunk. For many, owning a home in Enfield is not affordable. Government low cost home ownership schemes will assist some first time buyers to purchase a new home.

8 2011 Census data on tenure

9 Land Registry figs on Ave House Prices in Enfield 10

Add 2008 house price figures for comparison


Enfield’s Social Rented Homes

Social rented homes in Enfield are in very short supply. The Council let 693 Council and housing association homes in 2012/1311. Enfield’s Lettings Forecast predicted that 568 will become available for letting in 2013/14. In 2012 the Government increased incentives for Council tenants buying their home. This has increased Right to Buy sales in Enfield and contributed to a reduction in the size of the Council’s housing stock. Under the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15 there are no new ‘handovers’ of housing association homes let on social rent terms planned in Enfield beyond 2013/1412. Council and housing association homes make an important contribution to addressing homelessness in Enfield. Less homes becoming available for letting means fewer households in housing need can be assisted including those at risk of homelessness or living in Enfield’s emergency housing. Most households in emergency housing because they were homelessness before 9 November 2012 will wait longer to be housed. Changes in housing tenure mean housing associations may let their new homes and those that become available for letting from their existing housing stock at higher rents. The new tenancy type is called an Affordable Rent Tenancy and rents of up to 80% market rent are possible under a fixed term. This means that in addition to the reduction in supply of affordable homes, those homes that do become available for letting are more expensive for low income households. These homes are still cheaper and offer longer term tenancy rights compared with private rented homes in Enfield. There are just under 350 new affordable rent homes becoming available for letting in Enfield up to the end of 2014/1513.

Rent levels The table below shows rent levels for Council and Housing Association Homes in Enfield.

Table of Rent Levels in the Social Rented Sector 2011-1214

1 Bed 2 Bed 3+ Bed

Council Rent Levels £80.73 £91.61 £108.63

Housing Association Rent Levels £87.09 £105.75 £127.59

11

Breakdown of lettings: Council General Needs: 392; Council sheltered: 93; Housing association: 208 12

Enabling Programme Outcomes 2008/13 – Enabling Team 21/6/13 13

Enabling Programme Outcomes 2008/13 – Enabling Team 21/6/13 14

LBE Core Lettings Report 2011-12 (no stats for 2012/13)

../../../../AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/CHS_Management_Team/Performance/Lettings%20Monitoring/2013.14/Lettings%20Forecast%202013.14.xls


Enfield’s Private Rented Homes The 2001 census reported that less than 12% of households were renting from a private landlord or letting agency. The 2011 Census reports the size of the private rented sector had increased to 22.2%. Enfield’s private rented sector plays an important role in addressing housing need, including homelessness in the borough. Just over 2,000 households also live in private rented sector homes procured by the Council for emergency housing to meet its duties under the Homelessness Law. It is important for those who are not eligible for a Council or housing association home and those who cannot afford to buy their own home. Rent Levels Enfield’s Housing Strategy reports that rents in the private rented sector have increased by over 4% per year since 2004 with larger properties gaining more than smaller properties.

Monthly Rental Costs in Enfield

Size (beds)

Average Rent

201215

Average Rent

200416 Annual Increase

1 bed £793 £600 3.5%

2 bed £1049 £735 4.5%

3 bed £1300 £885 4.9%

4 bed and larger £1599 £1090 4.9%

Rent levels in Enfield are expensive when compared to incomes in the borough. A household on the median income17 would spend 40% of their gross pay to rent on a typical 2 bed property in Enfield. This rises to over 49% of gross income for a 3 bed property.

Rising private sector rents in Enfield are driven by growing demand and a shortage of supply. Two key factor driving demand for private rented sector homes are: 1. The high cost of home ownership which has made it increasingly difficult for

young people to buy somewhere to live with prices rising faster than earnings. At the same time mortgage availability has also shrunk.

2. Low levels of social rented homes are becoming available for letting relative to other boroughs. At 31 March 2013 there were just over 2000 households on Enfield’s Housing register. During 2012/13 a total of 693 homes were let of which 316 were one bedroom homes, 185 were two bedroom homes and 192 had three or more bedrooms.

15 GLA London Rents Map, www.london.gov.uk/rents/, using rent data Feb 2012 from the VOA 16 Fordham Research Limited , (2005), Enfield Housing Study, Pg 20 17

PayCheck 2010, Intelligence Unit, Greater London Authority

http://www.london.gov.uk/rents/


There are also competing claims from across the sector which is helping to drive up rents. Government provides subsidy in the form of Homelessness Grant to local authorities to address homelessness. In 2011 Enfield received a provisional allocation of £546,897 per year compared with Westminster who received £8.1m and RB Kensington and Chelsea who received £2.18m. There is not a clear and transparent process for allocating homelessness grant with a number of inner London boroughs receiving significant sums of money giving them leverage in procuring private rented sector lets outside of their borough boundaries for a range of markets. As competition for properties increases in the context of a shortage of supply, prices are driven up. Two of these markets are tenants in Enfield’s emergency housing and households at risk of homelessness.

Interaction between housing benefit and rents

Data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that in February 2012 there were over 18,000 housing benefit claimants living in Enfield’s private rented sector. This is a very high level of benefit dependent households. Inward migration of poorer households and increasing deprivation in the borough has seen an increase in demand for private rented homes. However, with the introduction of housing benefit changes, Enfield is seeing landlords withdraw properties from this market and make decisions about increasing the return on their investment by entering into new markets. The impact of rent increases for households with levels of increase above the Local Housing Allowance cap include:

Increased rent arrears and risk of homelessness

Tenants economising on their housing costs by moving to a smaller homes and overcrowding themselves

Tenants moving to cheaper locations elsewhere or poorer quality homes elsewhere

The changes in the local housing market and economic decline may change the makeup of Housing Options and Advice service users. Where the Council would previously have been focusing primarily on those with very low incomes or dependant on benefits we now anticipate approaches being received from couples and families whose total household income may be up to and including £50,000 p.a. As a result customer interaction, options considered and advice provided will likely extend beyond the scope delivered today.

Key challenges

This section has highlighted a number of key challenges for the Council in developing its Homelessness Strategy including:


An increasing older persons population will increase demand for services to support independent living

The high number of under 15’s in Enfield means in the longer term there is a large new generation who will need housing and are a potential risk to increased homelessness in the future

Addressing the correlation between un-employment, benefit dependency and homelessness by developing and promoting services and joint working to increase skills and support people back into work.

Ensuring a viable and affordable supply of private rented sector for local residents in housing need in the face of high demand, welfare reforms and growing competition from other London boroughs

Keeping under review levels of inward and outward migration within Enfield’s private rented sector

Responding to an increase in demand for housing options and advice services arising from government legislation and changes in the local housing market.


Part 2: Homelessness in Enfield

Defining Homelessness

Homelessness is defined as “the state of having nowhere to live”18. It includes

people who are sleeping rough, homeless people for whom the local authority has a

duty to find a pathway into appropriate housing, the “hidden homeless” who are living

with friends and relatives or those at risk of homelessness because they are living in

insecure, overcrowded conditions or accommodation which is in disrepair.

Enfield’s definition of homelessness also includes the following:

Households for whom it has provided emergency housing before 9 November

2012, because the Council agreed a full duty to house them under the

homelessness law. These households are waiting for a Council or housing

association home.

Households to whom the Council owes a full homelessness duty after 9

November 2012 are also provided with emergency housing under the

homelessness law. The Council will assist most of these households with

finding a suitable home in the private rented sector.

Homelessness Trends in Enfield

Homelessness Decisions and Acceptances

A homeless acceptance arises when Enfield Council decides a homeless household

is owed a main housing duty under the homelessness law. This means the Council

agrees to find the household suitable alternative accommodation. Information about

trends in homeless decisions and acceptances is set out below.

18

Reference Collins on-line dictionary.


CHART 1

Enfield Homeless Decisions and Acceptances

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 (est)

Homeless Decisions

Homeless Acceptances

Source: P1E data

During the four years from 2008/09 to 2011/12, Enfield had significantly lower

homelessness acceptances than the London average. However during 2012/13 the

rise in homeless acceptances has been far more pronounced in Enfield

CHART 2

Homeless Acceptance Rate per 1000 households

-

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 (est)

Enfield

London

The rate of homeless acceptances in Enfield has risen 162% from 2010/11 to

2012/13, but has only increased 45% across London. Enfield had the 26th highest

acceptance rate among the 33 London boroughs in 2010/11; this has now risen to

15th highest. Whilst it is accepted that homelessness is increasing nationally and

regionally, the level at which acceptances have increased in Enfield appears

excessive.


Reasons for Homelessness

The following two charts show the breakdown of the reasons for homelessness in 2008/09 and again in 2012/13 (through December):

Chart 3

Reasons for Homelessness 2008/09

2%3%4%

36%

51%

2%

1%

1%

Family or Friends Ejection

Breakdow n of Relationship

Violence / Harassment

Mortgage / Rent Arrears

Loss of Rented Accommodation

Leaving Asylum Support Service

In Institution or Care

Other

CHART 4

The most noticeable change is the reduction in the proportion of homeless acceptances due to a family or friend ejection from over 50% in 2008/09 to less than 37% in 2012/13. All other reasons for homelessness saw an increase in their proportion with the exception of relationship breakdown. The percentage that are accepted as homeless due to the loss of rented accommodation is now above 40% but had fallen as low as 21.9% in 2010/11.


Chart 5

% of Homeless Acceptances due to Loss of Private

Rented Accommodation

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

The decline to 2010/11 was due to the success of the Council’s Homefinder rent deposit scheme which provided potentially homeless households with another suitable home in the private rented sector. However since that time, as highlighted in the previous chapter it has become much more difficult to procure such properties and the number of homeless acceptances, especially from those ending a private rented sector tenancy, has increased. A comparison of the reasons for homelessness with London and England shows there has been a large increase in homelessness due to the loss of a private rented tenancy, with the proportion higher in Enfield. Table 1 shows the reasons for homelessness in 2008/09 and 2012/13 for Enfield, London and England.

TABLE 1 2008/09 2012/13

Reason for homelessness

Enfield London England Enfield London England

Family / Friend ejection 50.5% 44.9% 36.8% 34.5% 36.5% 31.3%

Breakdown of relationship 2.3% 2.1% 5.7% 1.8% 2.1% 5.5%

Violence / Harassment 2.8% 10.1% 18.8% 4.9% 9.4% 17.6%

Mortgage / Rent arrears 3.6% 5.7% 6.6% 6.9% 4.8% 5.3%

Loss of rented accommodation 35.7% 19.1% 18.1% 42.6% 34.2% 27.9%

Leaving Asylum Support Service 1.4% 2.2% 3.1% 3.6% 1.3% 1.9%

Institution or care 1.4% 3.9% 3.3% 0.9% 2.9% 3.3%

Other 2.3% 12.0% 7.6% 4.8% 8.9% 7.2%

Source: P1E government data


Enfield’s use of emergency housing The graph below shows Enfield’s use of emergency housing to temporarily house homeless households over the period April 2008 to January 2013. The graph shows a steep decline in the use of emergency housing during this time until August 2012 when its use has begun to increase again.

At 31 March 2013 there were 2,143 households in Enfield’s emergency housing. Of these, 1,815 were households to whom Enfield Council accepted the main homeless duty to house before 9th November 201319. Most of these households are waiting for a council or housing association home. Enfield is ranked 7th highest for the number of households in emergency housing out of a total of 326 local authorities in England. Reasons for the increase in the number of households in emergency housing include:

Changes in Enfield’s local housing market which are set out in Section 1

Cuts in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and welfare reform changes

Competition from other inner London boroughs for Enfield’s private rented homes making it more difficult for the borough to procure affordable private rented homes for those at risk of homelessness

19

The introduction of the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012.


The Council has a wide range of homelessness prevention interventions in place to address the main causes of homelessness. Without these interventions, the numbers in emergency housing would have been much higher. Key Challenges identified

Maintaining a low level of homelessness acceptances

Addressing the main cause of homelessness: loss of private rented homes

Mitigate against the increasing use of emergency housing for Enfield’s homeless households

The next section will set out Enfield’s Vision and Strategic Ambitions for addressing Homelessness over the next five years together with our partners


Enfield’s vision and strategic objectives for tackling homelessness

Enfield’s vision – we are consulting on this Enfield’s vision20 for homelessness has been developed in consultation with key partners, residents and staff.

Enfield consulted on a vision for homelessness during between April and June 2013 during its Homelessness Review. The wording consulted on is shown below:

Working in partnership to provide access to excellent information, advice and support services that

Prevent and reduce homelessness in the borough

Encourage personal responsibility

Assist people to make informed choices for sustainable housing Include the use of good standard, affordable, private rented homes in and

outside of the borough.

Those consulted were asked to prioritise what was most important to them for the vision from the list above. Outcomes from the review have resulted in a new vision which is set out below:

Work in partnership to provide access to excellent information, advice and support services that prevent and reduce homelessness in the borough, and assist people to make informed choices for affordable, sustainable housing.

We are asking consultation respondents for their views on this revised version

Enfield’s Ambitions for its Homelessness Strategy – we are consulting on this Enfield’s Homelessness Review identified that the five key ambitions from Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 2013 are still relevant and in this strategy they have been refined. Our ambitions are:

20

Insert box with first draft vision as well as this one plus 5 aims.


Ambition 1:

Preventing homelessness in Enfield

Ambition 2: Accessing suitable, affordable accommodation in

sufficient quantities to meet the needs of homeless

households and those at risk of homelessness

Ambition 3: Safeguarding and supporting homeless households with

assessed support needs

Ambition 4: Providing an excellent standard of customer service

Ambition 5:

Providing value for money

Corporate commitment to addressing homelessness

There is strong political commitment and support from senior officers to address homelessness in the borough. Partnership working in tackling homelessness

Many individuals and organisations are involved in tackling homelessness in Enfield and working together to provide quality services that meet the needs of customers. They include services and teams within Enfield Council, Communities and Local Government, statutory services, Registered Social landlords, private sector landlords, Enfield Homes and the voluntary and community sectors. In the current climate of welfare reforms, social housing reforms, public spending cuts and making efficiency savings, resources are stretched and there has never been a time where it has been more necessary to employ creative thinking and work together to make best use of resources, share information and expertise. Enfield’s revised Homelessness Strategy has been developed in collaboration with a wide range of partners agencies that are committed to tackling homelessness in Enfield. Enfield is part of a North London Sub Region which includes Barnet, Haringey, Islington, Camden, and Westminster. Sub regional working is an important resource for sharing expertise, pooling resources and bidding for additional government funding for homelessness projects. Appendix F sets out details of the partnership arrangements in place in Enfield for addressing homelessness in the borough.


Ambition 1– Preventing homelessness in Enfield

Enfield has adopted good practice identified by the Communities and Local Government and other local authorities in addressing homelessness in the borough and preventing repeat homelessness. The main causes of homelessness are being kept under review and steps are being taken to manage demand for Homelessness services. Homelessness prevention is the cornerstone of this Strategy.

Services Provided by Enfield Council

Enfield Council is the main provider of Housing Options and Advice Services for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Information on housing options and advice for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is available on the Council’s website. The website is being enhanced to support a wide range of on-line services planned during 2013/14. Information about changes to the way services will be provided in the future is set out under Ambition 4 – Providing an Excellent Standard of Customer Service. Our partners also provide services that have a significant impact on preventing homelessness. Information about the range of services in place is set out later on. A description of the main ways the Council is preventing people from becoming homeless in the first instance are set out below. Enfield’s Rent Deposit Schemes – Homefinder The private rented sector plays a very important role in meeting housing need. Rent Deposit Schemes are one of the main tool for helping those at risk of homelessness access an affordable private rented home of their choice. Over the last five years Enfield has invested in a Homefinder rent deposit scheme. It is aimed at households at risk of homelessness. The success of the scheme up until 2012 has been attributable to generous local Housing Allowance rates and a plentiful supply of private rented homes, particularly in the Eastern part of the borough where returns on investment were higher. The Council also has a rent deposit scheme called Fresh Start, aimed at households living in emergency housing because they are homeless. The chart below shows the take up of both rent deposit schemes over the period 2008/09 to 2012/13.


The chart shows that take up of Enfield’s rent deposit schemes has declined since 2011/12. This is indicative of changes in Enfield’s private rental markets leading to a reduction in the supply of suitable, affordable homes for low income households and those on benefits. Reasons for this include:

Welfare reforms – many landlords are choosing not to rent their homes to claimants on benefits affected by the Government’s Benefit Cap

Working households and “professionals” who would have previously bought their home but are now unable to afford the deposit.

Competition from other London local authorities and organisations who are making use of Enfield’s private rented sector to meet the needs of their own households at risk of homelessness. This is because Enfield’s private rented sector offering is relatively cheaper than their own areas. Many are offering Enfield’s landlords higher rents and incentives than Enfield can afford.

Specialist Casework and Homelessness Prevention Services for private tenants Loss of private rented homes is now the largest recorded cause of homelessness in Enfield. A specialist homelessness prevention casework service is delivered by the Council’s Housing Options and Advice Officers at John Wilkes House in Ponders End. The table below shows the number of cases dealt with by the service over the last five years.

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

Private Tenancy Sustainment 261 395 358 311 301

The number of homelessness preventions started to decline from 2010/11. This can in part be attributed to Government announcements about welfare reform as well as their implementation. This has resulted in many landlords withdrawing from letting homes to benefit dependant households and the shortage of alternative affordable private rented sector homes in Enfield for them to move into.


Enfield’s Tenancy Relations Service Enfield is committed to addressing rogue landlords and improving standards in the private rented sector. Private tenants experiencing problems with their private rented accommodation or their landlord will get help and advice from a specialist Tenancy Relations Officer. During 2012/13, the Tenancy Relation Officer dealt with 342 cases, which included harassment, threats, unlawful eviction and landlord repossession cases. Specialist homelessness prevention work undertaken by the Tenancy Relations Officer included successfully defending 25 cases in court achieving several court set asides and striking out possession orders and bailiff’s warrants. Discretionary Housing Payments Enfield receives a pot of money each year from the government to help people who qualify for housing or council tax benefit, but are having trouble paying their rent or council tax. The Council decides who should be given the payments. When the funding for the year runs out no more payments can be made. DHP can be used to pay for:

rent deposits

rent in advance

rent arrears (but not if the claimant was receiving enough housing benefit to pay all of their rent at the time the arrears built up)

a shortfall between housing benefit and rent

reductions in housing benefit, after changes in April 2013 known as the 'bedroom tax'

reductions in local housing allowance following changes to LHA rules from April 2011.

The Council is committed to using DHP to prevent homelessness.

Home Owners Financial Rescue Schemes Enfield supports two government funded schemes aimed at assisting homeowners who are having difficulty paying their mortgage, are at risk of homelessness and would be owed the main homeless duty by Enfield if their home was repossessed.

Enfield’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme A partnership scheme is in place with London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q). The Trust offers one of two options:

a loan to be paid to the home owners lender of between 25% and 75% of their mortgage, secured against the property as an equity loan or a mortgage to rent option, the housing association buys their home and the homeowner becomes the tenant.


L&Q entered into the scheme in 2011 and since then 21 Enfield households have been assisted.

Preventing Repossession Fund This is a discretionary scheme that enables Enfield to provide an interest free loan up to £5,000. The fund is available to those who meet the strict eligibility criteria. Households must have exhausted all hardship options with their lender and their financial difficulties are as a result of “income shock21”. Since December 2012, Enfield has assisted 2 households from this fund and identified a further five who qualify for help.

These two government schemes end in March 2014. Steps are required to market and promote these schemes to ensure maximum take up from those threatened with homelessness through risk of mortgage repossession. Low income and benefit dependent single person households under 35 The Council provides Housing Options and Advice Services to single homeless people and couples without children. The Government’s LHA monitoring report22 has highlighted that people under the age of 35 are most significantly impacted by the changes to Local housing Allowance (LHA). The report states this is because landlords are ceasing to let to the under 35’s due to a “perceived lack of profitability” in this shared accommodation market. Findings from the Council’s homelessness review showed that Enfield’s benefit dependent claimants under the age of 35 are finding it more difficult to access shared private rented homes in the borough and are at increased risk of homelessness. Ambition 2 later on sets out the services available for assisting homeless single people and childless couples under 35. Levels of single homelessness will continue to be kept under review. Services to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms The Council together with its partners are working in a proactive way to address the impact of government welfare reforms on Enfield’s residents. Enfield was one of four other London boroughs working with the Department of Work and Pensions to introduce the welfare benefit cap changes from 1st April 2013. Particularly intensive work has been undertaken by Enfield since April 2012 to mitigate the impact for households of the household benefit cap and for social

21

Definition - loss of job or reduction in hours term used in DCLG guidance on the Preventing Repossession

Fund. 22

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203102/rrep838_pt1.pdf


housing tenants, the abolition of the spare room subsidy (“the bedroom tax”). The numbers of households affected by both of these changes can fluctuate as updates are received from the Department of Work and Pensions. The number of households notifies as affected by the changes at 23/08/13 is set out in the table below.

Number of households affected by the welfare benefit changes

Tenure Type

No. affected by Benefit CAP

No. affected by bedroom

tax

Enfield’s Emergency Housing 273 n/a

Private Rented Sector 897 n/a

Housing Association 69 688

Council Tenants 46 779

Corporate Commitment to Addressing the Impact of Welfare Reforms A Corporate Working Group made up of Senior Officers is overseeing the borough’s plans for addressing and mitigating the impact of welfare reform changes. All households notified to the Council by the Department of Work and Pensions as being affected by the government’s benefit cap have been contacted and provided with advice and support aimed at preventing them from being made homeless. Advice and support to households in various circumstances includes the following:

Supporting People to sustain their tenancies and find work

At the heart of Enfield’s approach to addressing the impact of welfare reforms is to provide support to sustain tenancies and help people find work. Enfield has signed up to an ambitious partnership agreement with Jobcentre Plus and work programme providers, Ingeus, Maximus and Reed. The Council’s Sustainable Communities Team will ensure that homeless households and those at risk of homelessness are able to access services from the partnership and engage in training, education and work opportunities.

Services for private tenants To support Enfield residents affected by the Government's benefit changes, Enfield has put in place a Welfare Reform Taskforce with its partners in Job Centre Plus and the Citizens Advice Bureau who are working together to minimise the impact of the welfare benefit reforms on private rented tenants. The service is helping all those affected to avoid financial crisis and homelessness in various ways including

o claiming Discretionary Housing Payments, o finding work and qualifying for Working Tax Credit, o supporting them in renegotiating their rent with their landlord o or moving to more affordable accommodation

Services for tenants in Enfield’s emergency housing


Community Housing Services staff have made contact with 57923 households facing a shortfall in their rent to offer them support to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms. This includes help to find work, claim Discretionary Housing Payments or find somewhere cheaper to live.

Services for Enfield’s working age Council tenants who are under occupying their homes and claiming housing benefit

Enfield Homes is responsible for managing the Council’s owned housing stock. They have set up a Welfare Reform Information Team (WRIT) to assist all households impacted by welfare reforms. Each household has been contacted and offered information about how they will be affected and how to mitigate the impact of the changes. A series of community information events are also being organised to provide tenants with information and advice.

Enfield Homes has reported that many working age tenants affected by the Government’s ‘bedroom tax’ for under occupying their home are choosing to fund the cost of having extra rooms themselves. Many tenants have expressed an interest in downsizing to a smaller home. There are not enough smaller Council and housing association homes in the borough to meet this need. Services available to help tenants move to a smaller home include:

HomeSwapper This is a national scheme for tenants to exchange their Council or and housing association homes with another tenant. The table below shows that demand for HomeSwapper has increased significantly as a result of government’s bedroom tax

No. of Registrations for Home-Swapper

24

Quarter 1 comparisons 2012 2013

April 17 75

May 15 81

June 9 93

Enfield’s Under Occupation Scheme The scheme provides financial help and support to tenants wishing to move to smaller homes. Due to an increase in demand for the scheme it is now being reviewed and the financial incentives from the scheme are being transferred to incentivise down-sizing through the home-swapper scheme. Welfare Benefit Advisers Dedicated welfare benefit advisers support tenants with claiming benefits, prioritising their debts and managing their rent arrears.

23

Fig as at 28/6/13 24

Enfield Homes Figures as at 30/6/13


Services for Housing Association Tenants

Housing Associations operating in Enfield are proactively managing the impact of welfare reforms on their tenants by identifying those affected and offering advice and support to mitigate the impact on residents and their own businesses.

The role of voluntary and community sector organisations

The voluntary and community sector in Enfield has the potential to provide a significant contribution to the prevention of homelessness in the borough and help mitigate the impact of Government welfare reform. Enfield’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Enfield Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is the borough’s main voluntary provider of general information and advice services. The total number of customers contacting them for their housing and related services over the last 5 years has trebled from 1,324 customers 25 in 2008/09 to 4,484 customers in 2012/13.

The CAB provides general information and advice on a full range of housing related matters. It has reported a marked increase in demand for its housing and related services over the last 5 years. During 2012-13, 615 customers contacted the service because they were threatened with homelessness and 215 got in contact with Enfield CAB because they were actually homeless. A further 1372 customers approached the service for general help with other issues regarding their private rented sector tenancy. Enfield CAB receives funding from Enfield Council to deliver services. Funding has been reduced over recent years and services are being reorganised with an increased focus on enabling customers to resolve their own issues through self help, sign posting and referrals to other organisations for services. Enfield CAB is looking to increase partnership working and combine housing information resources. Other Providers in the Community Findings from Enfield’s homelessness review showed that insufficient information is known about housing advice providers in the borough. An audit of voluntary and community sector organisations is required to identify the type of housing and related services they provide, how they are provided and to what level. Opportunities for joining up services need to be explored further to make best use of resources in the borough.

25

CAB housing statistics as at July 2013


The role of the North London Sub-regional Partnership (NLSR)

Sub-regional partnership working is an important resource for sharing expertise, pooling resources and bidding for additional government funding for housing projects, including those to address homelessness. Enfield plays an active role in the six-borough North London sub regional partnership together with the London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Haringey, Islington, and Westminster. The NLSR works together on a variety of shared projects including housing growth and sustainability, tackling empty properties and addressing housing need including homelessness. A representative from Enfield’s Community Housing Service regularly attends NLSR Housing Needs Group Meetings and Rough Sleeper Leads Joint Meetings.

Key Challenges

In our aim to prevent homelessness in Enfield the review of homelessness identified

the following challenges:

Managing an increase in demand for homelessness prevention services

Preventing homelessness and supporting residents in the private and social

rented sector through the impact of welfare reform

Managing the increase in homelessness arising from loss of private rented

sector tenancies

Delivering more holistic housing options and advice services which include

opportunities for customers to access employment and training opportunities,

budget and debt management

Reduced funding for voluntary and community sector organisations

During 2013 – 18 we will

Continue to learn from and develop best practice in homelessness prevention, including government advice and seize opportunities that arise


Use local intelligence and information to continue to forecast and manage demand for Housing Options and Advice services

Ensure a year on year increase in levels of homelessness prevention cases that can be included in government homelessness26 returns

Keep under review and prevent episodes of repeat homelessness

Ensure a year on year reduction in the number of homeless acceptances under the homelessness law.

Ensure a year on year increase in the number of households accessing private rented homes through Enfield’s Rent Deposit Scheme

Ensure Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) is focused on preventing homelessness and reducing financial exclusion

Continue to target households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness because they are affected by the government’s benefit cap and welfare reforms

Develop holistic housing options and advice services with a focus on healthy living, debt management and income maximisation, help to find employment and training to minimise the risk of homelessness

Review affordable housing options and pathways for single people and couples without children under the age of 35 to combat potential street homelessness and overcrowding

Undertake an audit of voluntary and community sector organisations delivering housing information and advice services

Continue to build effective partnerships to address homelessness

Maintain a regional and sub-regional response to tackling homelessness, by

contributing to regional and sub-regional forums on homelessness, continue

with the Annual Sub Regional Homelessness Work Plan that is produced and

monitored.

26

P1E returns


Ambition 2: Accessing suitable, affordable accommodation in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of homeless households and those at risk of homelessness

This section sets out the issues the Council faces in accessing enough suitable,

affordable accommodation to meet the needs of homeless households.

Enfield’s overarching Housing Strategy 2012-27 sets out the boroughs plans for maximising housing supply, shaping supply and making best use of the existing stock. The information is not reproduced in this strategy. A good supply of affordable, sustainable housing in Enfield enables homeless households and those at risk of homelessness to make choices about where they live. It also reduces the time some homeless families spend in emergency housing provided by the Council as well as the financial costs.

Fulfilling the Council’s statutory duty to provide emergency housing for households owed a housing duty under the homelessness law

Enfield’s emergency housing portfolio

The term ‘emergency housing’ refers to all forms of accommodation used by the

Council to meet its statutory responsibilities to house homeless households.

Enfield is implementing plans to achieve a cost effective and balanced emergency

housing portfolio. Most accommodation is sourced from private landlords. The table

below shows that at June 2013 Enfield had a portfolio of 2,269 homes used for

emergency housing.

Type of Emergency housing27 Numbers in Use

Private Sector Leased (PSL) Properties

(long term leased accommodation where both the tenant and

the property are managed by the Council)

691

Private Leased Annexe (PLA) Properties

(long term leased accommodation where the tenant is

managed by the Council and the property is managed by a

Letting Agent)

797

Nightly Paid Annexes

(emergency housing paid on a nightly basis rather than on a long term lease)

484

27

Figures as at the 28/6/13


Type of Emergency housing27 Numbers in Use

Bed & Breakfast accommodation 51

Housing Association Leased Scheme 246

The different types of emergency housing which Enfield uses is explained below:

PSL and PLA forms of emergency housing PSL and PLA homes are Enfield’s preferred option for providing longer term, cheaper and good quality emergency housing.

NPA form of emergency housing The use of NPA is increasing and causing a financial pressure for the Council which needs to be addressed. Reasons for the increase are explained later on in this section of the Homelessness Strategy.

Use of Shared Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation The Council will only use B&B accommodation as a last resort. The Council is committed to ensuring homeless households with children are not placed in shared B&B accommodation for more than 6 weeks in line with legal requirements.

Housing Association Leased Scheme (HALS) Another source of emergency housing for homeless households which Enfield uses is private sector accommodation, leased and managed by partner housing associations that operate in the borough. The supply of this accommodation is reducing because of market conditions. Housing associations report that it is no longer financially viable for them to remain in this market due to the impact of welfare reform and the small surpluses which housing association generate in running these schemes. Because welfare reform is reducing claimants’ income, housing associations are concerned about the increased risk of losing income from tenants who are more likely to fall into arrears with their rent payments.

Managing demand for Enfield’s emergency housing

An emergency housing forecast model is developed annually and kept under review monthly. Since July 2012 Enfield has seen an increase in demand and use of emergency

housing, particularly the more expensive nightly paid accommodation (NPA and B&B)

because the borough has experienced difficulties in procuring PSL and PLA

accommodation. The increase in use of NPA accommodation is shown in the table

below:


Enfield Households in Emergency and Nightly Paid Accommodation

Date 1/4/09 1/4/10 1/4/11 1/4/12 1/4/13

No.s of households in Enfield’s

B&B and nightly paid

accommodation

607

294

201

251

430

Enfield’s emergency housing procurement plan In order to contain costs an emergency housing procurement plan is in place to rebalance the Council’s portfolio. The plan recognises that homeless prevention initiatives are key to managing demand for emergency housing. Other actions in the plan include:

gathering business intelligence and keeping Enfield’s private sector markets under review

sourcing good quality emergency housing in cheaper areas

discharging the Council’s homelessness duty into the private rented sector

remaining competitive on price and service for different types of emergency housing in response to changing market conditions

using vacant homes on Council estates due to be renewed as emergency housing.

reviewing debt management processes to maximise income

reviewing the time it takes to re-let emergency housing

giving reasonable preference for homeless households placed in Enfield’s emergency housing prior to 9 November 2012 for available Council and housing association homes

Some important issues relevant to delivering the emergency housing procurement plan are explored in more detail below.

Housing Homeless Households and the Council’s Allocation Scheme

From 9 November 2012 homeless households without assessed care and support needs who make a homeless application are also no longer entitled to an allocation of Council housing under the Council’s Allocations Scheme, even if they are placed in emergency housing by Enfield Council. Most of these households will eventually rent a home from a private landlord. Enfield’s current priorities for Council and housing association homes which support the Councils estate renewal programme will mean fewer homes will be made available to households placed in emergency housing and to whom the


Council owes a full housing duty before 9 November 2012. These households will experience longer waits for these types of homes.

Enfield’s policy on discharging the Council’s main housing duty into the private rented sector

The Council welcomes new flexibilities under the Localism Act to discharge the Council’s main housing duty into suitable, affordable private rented sector accommodation. This is nothing new for the Council as it has been doing this on a voluntary basis with considerable success through its Homefinder rent deposit scheme since 2007/08. Use of the discharge power makes an important contribution to preventing homelessness and managing demand for emergency housing.

Enfield’s out of borough placements

Where good quality, affordable accommodation cannot be sourced for emergency housing or for private rented homes for Enfield’s homeless households then Enfield will need to source this type of accommodation in other London boroughs and outside of London. Enfield’s Out of London Placements Policy was agreed in 2004. The criteria for placing households outside of London in emergency housing or private rented homes takes into account matters such as the availability, cost and suitability of accommodation, medical needs, children’s schools, employment and exceptional needs for remaining in borough Since 2012 the level out of borough placements is increasing due to government welfare reforms. Households who are adversely affected by the Government’s welfare reforms and cannot afford to live in Enfield are being encouraged to find suitable, affordable accommodation outside of Enfield and London voluntarily.

The numbers of households placed by Enfield in emergency housing outside the borough is very small. Council records show that only 152 of our 2150 households placed in emergency housing are located out of borough. Of this number, 41 are out of London placements. When placing households out of borough, homes are cheaper for both households and the Council. For these homes to be sustainable for households, Enfield is mindful that:

o it continues to build strong relationships with agents and landlords o homes are sourced in areas with good transport links with Enfield o relevant local cultural support is available.

Standards for Enfield’s emergency housing


Most of Enfield’s emergency housing are street properties located in the borough. Enfield ensures a minimum standard of accommodation and tenancy management for all its emergency housing through a robust procurement process. Enfield’s suppliers for accommodation are accredited through a rigorous tendering exercise to ensure that quality and standards are maintained, Regular visits are carried out to ensure accommodation meets minimum standards.

Standards for Enfield’s private rented accommodation placements The Council is committed to ensuring quality standards in the private rented sector and detailed plans for achieving this are set out in the borough’s Housing Strategy.

The Council ensures a minimum standard of accommodation through its Homefinder scheme by inviting the largest suppliers to join its Accredited Landlords Scheme. When the Council discharges its homelessness duty into the private rented sector inside or outside of the borough property inspections are carried out to ensure properties comply with the statutory Suitability Orders and Homelessness Code of Guidance.

Key Challenges

Reducing the number of homeless households in Enfield’s emergency accommodation

In the light of difficulties procuring accommodation to meet the needs of those who are homeless, ensuring families are not in shared B&B for longer than 6 weeks

Maintaining a cost effective balanced portfolio of accommodation to meet the needs of homeless households owed a housing duty by Enfield Council

Negotiating competitive rates for Enfield’s emergency housing

Ensuring households can afford suitable accommodation and sustain their tenancies

Reducing the Council’s budget pressure arising from an increase in use of Enfield’s emergency housing and an increase in the use of expensive types of emergency housing


During 2013-18 we will

Implement the Council’s emergency housing procurement plan

Keep under review the number of families living in shared B&B for more than 6 weeks in line with government legislation

Ensure there is a sufficient supply of good quality, affordable private rented homes outside of the borough for those affected by welfare reform who can no longer afford to live in Enfield

Maintain a balanced portfolio of emergency housing to meet the needs of Enfield’s homeless households

Reduce the use of expensive Nightly Paid Accommodation and convert units into longer term leasing schemes.

Use the private rented sector to discharge the Council’s main homelessness duty

Increase take up of Enfield’s Homefinder Rent Deposit Schemes

Explore all sources of accommodation for use as emergency housing including homes vacated by tenants which are due to be demolished under the Council’s estate renewal programme.

Explore opportunities for developing joint procurement strategies with other local authorities to help reduce costs

Implement a flexible private sector accommodation procurement plan to meet

the needs of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Regularly inspect emergency housing to ensure it continues to meet agreed

quality standards

Continue to quality assure providers of Enfield’s Emergency housing


Ambition 3 - Safeguarding and supporting homeless households with assessed support needs

Introduction The homelessness law provides an important safety net for homeless households who are assessed as ‘vulnerable’. The Council will continue to support these households to find appropriate, affordable and sustainable housing solutions. Enfield has good partnership arrangements in place with statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations to prevent homelessness and support those with care and support needs. The following sections describe the support arrangements in place as well as the key challenges for Enfield Council in delivering supportive homelessness services. Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children

Safeguarding vulnerable adults and vulnerable children is an important corporate priority. Enfield will ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable households when deciding a homeless application and making decisions about their housing and support needs. We do this in several ways:

Through various multi-disciplinary Housing Panels which deal with the needs of households with members who have physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues including those that are homeless.

Through the NOTIFY system.

NOTIFY is a system that uses information provided by London borough housing departments to notify each other’s housing, education, social care, and health services about homeless households placed in, moving between or leaving emergency housing in all London boroughs. Information is contained in a database and updated weekly by local authorities, including Enfield. However there are local issues around data cleansing that need to be resolved. Enfield supports London Councils’ proposals for a refresh of the system because there is recognition that regular and timely updating of the NOTIFY database by boroughs is a problem.

Pathways for supporting homeless households and those at risk of homelessness

Tailored pathways are in place to address the housing and support needs of those who are at risk of homeless or homeless. They include: Enfield’s Scheme for allocating Council and housing associations homes

Enfield’s Allocations Scheme was approved by Cabinet in November 2012 and implemented in February 2013. It makes an important contribution to preventing homelessness and supporting those who are homeless in the following ways:


Households affected by the Council’s plans for regenerating Council estates are given priority for housing. Many have care and support needs

Annual housing quotas are in place for care leavers

Annual housing quotas are in place for single people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues, some of whom may be homeless

Annual housing quotas are in place to support occupants of Enfield’s supported housing schemes to ‘move on’ to independent living in social rented housing

Homeless households are given reasonable preference for housing, particularly households living in Enfield’s emergency housing before 9 November 2012. Many have care and support needs.

Households with high care and support needs are prioritised for housing through assessment panels including those with mental health issues, physical difficulties, learning difficulties and older people

Housing Related Support Services (formerly known as Supporting People Services) Housing Related support services play an important role in preventing homelessness and supporting those at risk of homelessness. Enfield Council have maintained their commitment to these services over the last five years and the table below highlights the types of support this service provides and the numbers of households assisted at 2007/08 and 2012/13

Housing Related Support Services

Type of Housing Related Support Service

Number of Available Units

2007/08


2012/13

DV - Floating support 20 15

DV - Refuge 28 29

Ex-Offenders - Accommodation 10 10

Learning Disabilities - Accommodation 125 123

Learning Disabilities - Floating Support 35 28

Mental Health Needs - Accommodation 243 220

Mental Health Needs - Floating Support 163 175

Physical or Sensory Impairment - Accommodation

14 14

Physical or Sensory Impairment - Floating Support

10 20

Single People with Support Needs Accommodation Beck House

41 41

Single Homeless – Accommodation (other) 59 0


Type of Housing Related Support Service


2007/08


2012/13

Single People with Support Needs Floating Support 0 115

Substance Misuse Needs - Accommodation 40 9

Substance Misuse Needs - Floating Support 0 40

Young Parent - Accommodation 16 15

Young Parent - Floating Support 27 27

Young people leaving care - Accommodation 92 ???

Young Person - Accommodation - Foyer Not recorded 145

Young Person - Floating Support 34 30

Generic - Accommodation 15

Generic – floating support 120

Total 1,092 1,056

The available Housing Related Support units available in 2007/08 were 1,092 and this decreased slightly to 1,056 units in 2012/13. These services make an important contribution to preventing those with care and support needs from becoming homeless.

Homelessness services for young people Enfield has a good range of services in place to address and prevent young single people from being made homeless. These include:

o The Multi Agency Youth Homelessness Service Since 2009, no 16 and 17 year olds have been accepted as homeless in Enfield. The multi-agency partnership service in place has three elements to it:

Prevention: Early intervention to prevent homelessness

Pathways: A Common Assessment Framework for assessing a young person’s housing and support needs involving an Integrated Support Team made up of housing, education, health, Connexions and parenting support services.

Provision: A range of suitable types of housing including supported lodgings and supported housing schemes


The service provides a direct pathway to 44 units of supported housing specifically designed for this age group. Demand for this service is kept under review.

o Theresa House

First Steps at Theresa House is an assessment centre for 16 and 17 year olds to address their housing and support needs. The scheme provides 30 supported housing units and has one emergency room.

o Enfield Foyer

The Enfield Foyer is an accommodation based support service based in for young persons aged 16 to 24. The Enfield Foyer provides general support for 36 residents and has established links to employment and training opportunities and a wide range of other services. Each Foyer resident has their own self-contained studio flat and access to communal facilities such as a residents lounge, communal laundry, training kitchen, meeting rooms and a training suite.

o Deborah Tempest House Deborah Tempest House provides 14 units of shared accommodation with 2 and 3 bedroom flats for clients aged 16-24 years old. All clients have medium to high support needs and once accepted are expected to engage in activities aimed at acquiring the skills needed to live independently.

Homelessness Services for those at risk of offending

o Integrated Offender Management process for Ex-offenders

A partnership framework is in place to encourage local partners agencies to work together to ensure that serious offenders are managed in a coordinated way that prevents homelessness and reoffending.

o Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Statutory partnership arrangements are in place with Enfield Council, the police, probation services and social care services to support the assessment and management of risks posed by serious offenders.

Services for people suffering domestic violence

A good range of services are in place for addressing homelessness caused by domestic violence. These include:

29 units of accommodation and 15 floating support service placements funded by Housing Related Support


Drop in services run by Solace Women’s Aid: one morning a week at John Wilkes House and a weekly session at North Middlesex Hospital

A North London sub-regional pilot DV reciprocal agreement A joint protocol for those at high risk of domestic violence operates across the North London Sub Region providing approximately 36 moves per year. The Agreement may also be extended to include Housing Associations in the sub-region if the pilot proves successful between boroughs. Other victims under the threat of violence e.g. those associated with gang crime will also be included. Enfield’s Domestic Violence (DV) Protocol for Housing Providers is nearing completion following work carried out by the Enfield Domestic Violence Housing Task Group. The protocol is a multi-agency approach identifying good practice for partner housing associations in preventing homelessness and supporting survivors of domestic violence who live in properties owned by partner housing associations.

Services to address drug and alcohol addiction Drug and alcohol addiction can lead to homelessness. There are schemes in place in Enfield for those already on a pathway to drug rehabilitation or have their addiction under control. These include:

o Enfield Substance Misuse Rent Deposit Scheme The service is available to clients who have stabilised their drug use and are at risk of homelessness. A 12 month private rented tenancy is offered with floating support services. Numbers of clients assisted is shown below

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13

6 20 19 14 1

o Stepping Stone Court Residential Rehabilitation Unit

Nine units of short term supported housing is available in Enfield for ex-offenders recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. A gap identified during the review was support services for those with alcohol and substance misuse addiction is not under control. Where this client group become street homeless they are considered to be at a higher risk in terms of health and well-being than someone without an addiction who is street homeless. Stable housing is considered key in aiding the recovery process of those with addictions by the professionals who work with them.

Enfield’s review of homelessness highlighted that some housing support schemes in place, such as Enfield’s Substance Misuse Rent Deposit Scheme, now fail to address the issues of substance misusers aged under 35 who, as a result of local housing allowance reforms, are only entitled to financial assistance with the rent for a single room in shared accommodation. This age group can no longer be assisted by


the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and would benefit from the development of a shared housing support scheme aimed at supporting their needs.

Housing Assistance to Support Independent Living

o Disabled Facilities Grants Enfield’s Housing Assistance Policy sets out Enfield’s criteria for allocating Government funded Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The grants make an important contribution to preventing homelessness by ensuring older people and those with a disability are supported to live independently in their homes. The table below provides information about the number of people prevented from becoming homeless by funding adaptations such as level access showers, stair and through floor lifts, widening doors (to allow wheel chair access), creating ground floor living and access to the property (ramps)

Financial Year

2009/10

Financial Year

20010/11

Financial Year

2011/12

Financial Year

2012/13

Number of People Assisted

180 190 187 166

This is an area of the work that consistently receives a 100% satisfaction rating from service users. Demographic information for Enfield shows an increasing elderly population. Enfield recognised the importance of doing more to promote the scheme and manage demand. It is anticipated that demand for the service will increase

Support for troubled families through Enfield’s Change and Challenge Scheme

The Change and Challenge Programme is Enfield’s local name for the Government’s ‘Troubled Families’ initiative (TF). The Government has set out targets and national criteria for participation on the programme, which revolve around 3 key areas of national focus:

Crime and Antisocial Behaviour (ASB)

Education

Worklessness Local authorities are expected to engage with families who meet three eligibility criteria, of which two reflect the national focus. The third criteria can be set locally. Enfield has a set of 9 local eligibility criteria which range from household members being involved in gangs to childhood obesity.


The intensive intervention work arising from this initiative makes an important contribution to preventing some of the borough’s most challenging families from being made homeless.

Homes for older people In 2007/08 there were 1569 units of accommodation for older people in Enfield including Extra Care units compared with 1396 in 2012/13. These are provided by both Enfield Council and partner housing associations. Following consultation with their tenants about what type of support they actually wanted, some providers of homes for older people decided to voluntarily give up Housing Related Support funding. This was because the majority of tenants wanted assistance on tasks which could not be funded through Housing Related Support. Providers agreed to deliver services tenants wanted by funding them through tenants’ rent payments instead.

Rough Sleeper Services Rough sleeping is not being reported as major problem in Enfield. Enfield’s Single Homeless Forum has estimated levels of street homelessness in Enfield are below 5 on any one night. However levels of rough sleeping in the borough need to be kept under review in light of welfare reforms and changes in Enfield’s private sector housing markets. An emergency room is available at a supported housing scheme in Enfield called Beck House. Referrals are made by the London Street Rescue Team. During 2012/13 there were 15 referrals to the emergency room and the length of stay was on average 9 nights. There is a need to review move on arrangements from the emergency room. Enfield has a good working relationship with London Street Rescue and will refer rough sleepers for services. A rough sleepers count undertaken by the Combined Homeless and Information Network (CHAIN) in 2012 /13 reported 62 rough sleepers in Enfield. Of this number, 2 were repeat cases. Enfield’s Single Homeless Forum is a multi-agency partnership that works together to address the needs of rough sleepers and the single homeless. A review of the partnership’s aims and objectives is required to ensure it continues to be effective in sharing expertise and knowledge and pooling resources. Enfield has a Rough Sleepers Action Plan. Findings from the Review were that it was not regularly updated.


Hospital Discharges A Hospital Discharge Protocol is in place with local hospitals in Enfield. The aim of the protocol is to reduce the number of emergency homeless approaches to John Wilkes House from hospital patients on the day of their discharge from hospital. A Hospital Discharge Co-ordinator has been employed to work with hospital discharge planning teams and ward staff for a planned approach to assisting homeless households with suitable accommodation when they leave hospital. Between the 1 April 2013 and 30 June 2013, 14 referrals28 were received from hospitals. Of these, 3 applicants were assisted with accommodation in the private rented sector through the Homefinder rent deposit scheme.

Key Challenges:

An increasing older population could place additional demand on prevention resources including grants, adaptations and could increase demand for older person’s accommodation and services

A reducing supply of council and housing association homes to meet the needs of households with high care and support needs.

Maintaining a low level of rough sleeping in Enfield

Addressing the needs of those who misuse substances and have difficulty keeping and sustaining a tenancy

Risk of reduced government funding to pay for housing related support services

During 2013-18 we will:

Review the use of NOTIFY and its relationship with other safeguarding policies in the Council

Ensure Enfield’s Allocations Scheme continues to support local priorities for homeless households including those with high care and support needs.

Keep under review the need for appropriate supported housing and housing related support services in Enfield for homeless households with care and support needs and maximise opportunities for commissioning and funding appropriate services based on need

28

Update on the hospital discharge co-ordinator project April2 doc.


Finalise Enfield’s Domestic Violence Protocol to prevent Council and housing association tenants who are victims of domestic violence from being made homeless.

Ensure continued access to housing and support for homeless 16/17 year olds.

Explore options and resources for supporting single homeless people under 35 with substance misuse issues to access appropriate accommodation

Support the Government’s troubled families scheme (Enfield’s Change and Challenge programme)

Support the Government’s commitment to ‘no second night out’ for rough sleepers in Enfield

Review Enfield’s Rough Sleepers Action Plan

Maintain activities to ensure that patients are not discharged from hospital without a plan that includes ensuring patients’ housing needs are addressed and their homelessness prevented

Continue to provide an annual quota of social rented homes for single people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or with mental health issues including those who are homeless or are threatened with homelessness


Ambition 4: Provide an Excellent Standard of Customer Service

Providing excellent standard of customer service is an important corporate priority in Enfield. Enfield’s Community Housing Service Enfield’s Homelessness Review identified a need to improve service standards within the Council’s Housing Options and Advice Service. The Review identified an inconsistency in the quality of advice given to customers, training issues regarding the knowledge of housing law and services amongst some staff giving advice to customers and a lack of confidence from some staff in advising on new housing laws and policy changes. Service Standards are being address through a major Business Transformation Programme within the Community Housing Service which has included a comprehensive review of business processes. A programme of change will address service issues and lead to improved performance in tenancy sustainment activities and improved customer satisfaction with services. The changes include a new service model for delivering Housing Options and Advice Services including an online Housing Options and Advice toolkit and IT performance management software to better manage homeless prevention casework services, new casework management processes and procedures and planned investment in staff training. These improvements in service delivery are described in more detail below.

A new service model for Community Housing Services

The key projects at the heart of transforming the service are described below:

Customer First A new customer access model has been developed to improve the customer experience. The new model will see reception and telephony services (involving routine, non-complex enquiries) transferred to the Council’s Operational Services Centre who will deal with all customer enquiries at the first point of contact using integrated multi-professional teams. More complex, professional casework services will continue to be carried out by Community Housing services staff. Implementation of the transitional arrangements is planned for early autumn 2013 and full integration of the changes is planned for late autumn 2013.

Customer Self -Serve The Council wants to increase access to council services and enable customers or obtain services all day every day. To respond to the Council’s ambition and respond


to an anticipated increase in housing advice enquiries arising from welfare reform and the current financial climate self serve housing options are being developed. New services planned for 2013 and 2014 include an on-line Housing Register, an on line Housing Options and Advice service and on line rent and repairs for tenants living in Enfield’s emergency housing. The housing web pages on the Council’s web site are being enhanced to increase housing options and advice information for customers and e-forms are being developed to enable customers to apply on line for an increased range of services. The “self-serve” capability will enable customers to receive consistent, timely and good quality advice on housing options at a time that suits them. Other homeless service improvements

Written Information on Homelessness Services The Review identified gaps in the service regarding the quality of written information available to address homelessness. Some information and advice leaflets did not contain up to date contact details for housing providers or contain up to date information that reflects the recent changes to the service brought about by Government housing and welfare reforms. An audit and review of all written information is underway to ensure it is informative, reflective of changes in government policy and supports the new service delivery model for Community Housing Services.

Service Standards for Housing Options and Advice Services Corporate service standards are in place for:

o Answering telephone calls o Providing a written response to written correspondence from customers

and members o Providing a response to customer complaints

Demand for Housing Options and Advice services is high. There is a need to manage customer expectations regarding the service offer and to monitor closely reasons for any service dissatisfaction. The Department’s Complaints Team supports this process by reporting on complaints quarterly and lessons learned so that service improvements can be made. The Government has an ambition for local authorities to meet a prescribed Gold Standard29 for Housing Options and Advice Services. Enfield is involved in consideration of this standard at a North London regional level. Local service standards for delivering Housing Options and Advice Services are being developed as part of the new Community Housing Service Model.

29

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1-7-million-gold-standard-sets-new-homelessness-benchmark


Monitoring Customer Satisfaction A number of methods are in place for collecting information about customer satisfaction with services. They include:

o Quick vote interactive satisfaction survey for reception services at John Wilkes House.

o Customers Comment Card Corporate Monitoring

o Housing Advice Customer Satisfaction Survey, a printed survey form is issued to every customer who receives a housing options and advice interview, to be completed before they leave.

o Emergency Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Customer Survey, sent out by post annually

Findings from Enfield’s Homelessness Review were that although surveys are undertaken, the frequency of surveys is not consistent across the services, levels of responses are low in some business areas and in other service areas the information received is not used in a systematic way to shape the way services are delivered. A review of processes for obtaining customer satisfaction is required to ensure wider and better customer engagement.

Staff Training and Development The new service model being developed for delivering Community Housing Services requires a housing workforce that takes ownership, is flexible, committed, provides excellent customer service, is professional in its work at all times and will enable customers to make informed decisions in times of change and uncertainty. To achieve this, a three year staff training programme has been developed and implementation has already begun.

Valuing Equality and Diversity Enfield Council was awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Equalities Framework for Local Government. The Council’s work to address housing inequalities contributed to this rating. Each year Enfield’s Community Housing Service produces an Annual Housing Equalities Report which details take up of services and barriers to accessing services. Services are also reviewed against the standards set out in the Fairness in Practice Framework used by the Council’s Health, Housing and Adult Social Care department. Inequalities identified through these processes are addressed through an annual Improvement Plan which is regularly monitored. Predictive and Retrospective Equalities Impact Assessments are also completed for all new services and policies to inform their development. Equalities monitoring will continue to inform the development of current and future housing options and advice services.


Key Challenges

Effectively communicate to customers and business Partners how they can access Housing Options and Advice services using the new Service Model and support them through the changes

Monitor take up of services arising from the new service model and address any equalities arising in service provision.

Involve customers in shaping, designing and planning housing options and advice services.

Ensure effective and consistent methods of engagement with service users to evaluate satisfaction levels and make improvements to services


Implement plans for a new service model for Housing Options and Advice services with those at risk of homelessness being fast tracked for services.

Explore at a regional level the viability of the Government’s Gold service standard for delivering local housing options and advice services

Devise and implement local service standards for delivering Housing Options and Advice services and report on outcomes

Deliver on-line Housing Options and Advice services with a focus on homelessness prevention and managing demand

Ensure Enfield’s new service model for delivering housing options and advice services is effectively communicated to all stakeholders

Ensure those who have care support needs are given support to access on-line Housing Options and Advice services

Ensure Enfield Council’s website and Home Connection’s bidding system is kept up to date with comprehensive information about Housing Options and Advice services in Enfield and clear pathways are in place for responding to and preventing homelessness.

Ensure an inventory is developed of all printed information regarding Housing Options and Advice. Ensure all printed information is reviewed and updated annually.

Continue to implement the Community Housing Services’ three year Training and Development Plan


Continue Predictive and Retrospective Equalities Impact Assessments for new policies, services and initiatives

Develop and communications strategy directed at Turkish, Kurdish and Black African communities, who account for over half of all households accepted as homeless in Enfield, aimed at preventing their homelessness

Review processes for obtaining customer satisfaction. Ensure outcomes from customer satisfaction information contributes towards shaping Housing Options and Advice services


Ambition 5: Provide Value for Money Services

Providing value for money services is an important corporate priority. Major cuts in Government funding provide local authorities with the challenge of prioritising services and delivering efficiency savings. The Council’s LEANER30 Programme is at the heart of delivering value for money services and balancing the books. The Council and its Community Housing Service is committed to delivering value for money services by:

Researching and benchmarking services against good practice elsewhere

Strengthening partnership working and opportunities to share expertise and pool resources

Reviewing and improving operational business processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste

Reorganising services and putting in place a new service model for operational services delivered by Enfield’s Customer Services Centre and its Community Housing Service aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving services for users

Reviewing impact, costs and benefits of homelessness services and housing options and advice services

Investing in IT services to increase customer self serve options for customers and reduce costs.

Investing in new IT for staff to enable them to deliver services more efficiently through mobile working

Investing in staff development and training to enable staff to:

o deliver projects forming part of the Business Transformation Programme31,

o deal with changes in housing policies and welfare reforms

o effectively respond to the new operating environment for delivering Housing Options and Advice services.

Lobbying and bidding for government funding to deliver services Performance Management A robust performance management framework is vital to the success of any organisation as it is the primary means of ensuring that resources are properly utilised to meet strategic objectives.

30

Less bureaucracy, Eliminate waste, Automate what we can, New way of working, Excellent staff and

services, Reduce overheads 31

See Ambition 4 above for more details


Governance arrangements are in place for the Business Transformation Programme and associated projects to ensure their success. These include Housing Operations and Housing Strategy Boards with senior officer representation from the Community Housing Services’ Leadership Team. A Performance Management Framework is in place for managing budgets and the operational business of Community Housing Services. Key Performance Indicators are reported to the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care’s Management Team.

Key Challenges

Remaining competitive - a reduction in funding for local Councils from Central Government which puts pressure on all Council services who are competing for scarce resources.

At present some homelessness services are paid for from external government grants which are not guaranteed

Increased corporate budget pressures related to paying for homelessness services arising from the elimination of Homelessness initiatives Funding

Retaining a competitive financial advantage in Enfield’s private sector housing markets

A reduction in Housing Options and Advice Service Providers in the market place which increases demand for Council services.

Some partner organisations finding it more difficult to commit to partnership working and networking due to cuts in services and less staffing resources


Continue to research and benchmark services against best practice elsewhere

Ensure Enfield’s new Housing Options and Advice service is monitored for efficiency and effectiveness in addressing homelessness and delivering agreed savings targets

Keep under review the impact, costs and benefits of all homelessness related services

Maximise all opportunities for bidding for resources to address homelessness


Develop a 5 year resources strategy for homelessness prevention initiatives, through a funding strategy to be agreed with partners by March 2014.


Part 3: Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy Action Plan (To be developed during the Consultation Period)

Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy Action Plan has been developed to cover key priorities for the coming years. Where possible the resource associated with each Action has been identified and made available. As the Action Plan is implemented and work with our partners continues, the Action Plan will change and be updated.

Performance management of Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan

This strategy will change over time to reflect changes in policy and legislation and the changing needs, expectations and priorities of our customers and partners. A performance management framework is in place within Community Housing Services to monitor service outcomes, including homelessness. Responsibility for reviewing and updating Enfield’s Homelessness Strategy and supporting Action Plan will lie with Enfield’s Housing Strategy, IT and Business Support Team. Outcomes will be monitored through the Community Housing Services’ Housing Strategy Board with outcomes reported annually to Enfield’s Housing Strategic Partnership. Conclusion This Homelessness Strategy reflects Enfield’s commitment to preventing homelessness and improving the general health and well-being of local residents. It is a living document that will be added to and amended through consultation with stakeholders over the coming years. A comprehensive Homelessness Review has enabled Enfield to better understand current and future levels of homelessness as well as activities and services provided by the Council and its partners which help to sustain tenancies, prevent homelessness and support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find settled, affordable homes. A great deal has been achieved so far and there has been a great deal of progress in addressing homelessness in Enfield. This Strategy recognises that significant challenges lie ahead.

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