Our 2007/2008 Homelessness Review identified that within Redcar and Cleveland, we have good housing advice services, providing realistic advice. The review found that the homelessness prevention agenda is embedded and we have examples of good/innovative practices.
Our second Homelessness strategy was approved and published in July 2008.
The Strategy identifies our priorities for the next five years. These are;
- Reduce the use of temporary accommodation for under 18 year olds.
- Develop services for people who have multiple needs.
- Increase the proportion of clients who are in employment, education or training to enable them to access an income that affords wider housing options.
- Promote and increase access to private sector housing.
- Ensure Housing Associations and service providers support the Homelessness Prevention Agenda.
- Develop services to provide Enhanced Housing Options Advice for the Borough.
What we have done so far to deliver the Homelessness Strategy
- Reduced the number of 16 & 17 year olds who are placed in Bed & Breakfast as homeless emergency accommodation to an all time low (numbers currently fluctuate between zero and two).
- Developed a high intensity supported accommodation specification (next step Supporting People tendering process).
- Commenced further consultation with parents regarding services they would like to see developed to help reduce the number of young people who are asked to leave by family/carers.
- We are currently reviewing our Private Sector Leasing Scheme(PSL) to reduce its temporary nature and provide alternative emergency accommodation.
- 550 pupils across the borough have been provided with housing/homelessness prevention education in schools sessions (delivered in partnership with Nightstop).
- Continued to further develop and expand our Landlord Charter we now have 110 Landlords participating in the scheme with over 420 private sector homes.
- Continued to expand our Bond Guarantee scheme we have now issued over 113 Bonds to assist clients move into private rented accommodation and prevent homelessness.
- 3 new customer feedback surveys have been developed to ensure that clients views are taken into account as we develop your services.
- We have made an application via the Future Jobs Fund to employ a Young Persons Peer Housing Advisor.
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