ECCP Training

Homelessness – Getting them off the streets

“In a civilized society it is totally unacceptable. We must end the uncertainty,

indignity and suffering of rough sleeping.”

HM Government

Introduction

Homelessness and the Law

Questions to consider ….

• Homelessness law• So ….. Is a rough sleeper homeless or not ?• If yes … Who’s responsible – Local authorities ?• But … Are they Eligible for assistance• Priority needs ? Are you vulnerable

The Law

The 1996 Housing Act, Part VII (as amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act) sets out the legal duties that local authorities have towards people who are homeless. They have a legal duty to help people who ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Are homeless or threatened with homelessness Are eligible Have a priority need Are not intentionally homeless

What is a Homeless Person? Legally…..• you have no home in the UK or anywhere else in the world • you have no home where you can live together with your

immediate family • you can only stay where you are on a very temporary basis • you don't have permission to live where you are (e.g.

Squatters)• you have been locked out of home and you aren't allowed back • you can't live at home because of violence or abuse or threats

of violence or abuse, which are likely to be carried out against you or someone else in your household

• it isn't reasonable for you to stay in your home for any reason (for example, if your home is in very poor condition)

• you can't afford to stay where you are (28 days notice)

• you live in a vehicle or boat and you have nowhere to put it.

Am I eligible for Assistance?

You will not be eligible for any assistance from the local authorities if ………..

• you are an asylum seeker. Most asylum seekers get temporary housing arranged by the UK Border Agency, a part of the Home Office

• you are from abroad and have limited rights to remain in the UK, or you have stayed longer than the time you were allowed

• you are from abroad and you aren’t entitled to claim ‘public funds’

• you are in the UK illegally (the council can investigate your immigration status and inform the Home Office if it thinks you came to the UK illegally).

Eligibility for European Nationals

You will be eligible for assistance if you are from an European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country and you are working or self-employed in the UK. Your family members may also be eligible for assistance.

If you are a worker from Bulgaria or Romania you may also have to have obtained a worker authorization certificate to be eligible.

Am I in Priority Need ?

In England you are in priority need if ……

• you, or someone you live with is pregnant• you are responsible for dependent children• you are homeless as a result of flood, fire or other disaster• you are a ‘vulnerable’ person (see below)• you are aged 16 or 17, unless social services has a

responsibility for you• you are aged 18–20 and were ‘looked after’ by social services

(even for one day) when you were aged 16 or 17 (unless you are a student in full-time higher or further education whose accommodation is not available during the holidays, in which case social services has to help you until you are 24).

Am I Vulnerable ?

A Local authority may decide you or someone you live with is vulnerable because …..

• of old age• you have a physical or mental illness or disability• you are over 20 and are vulnerable because you were in care• you were in the armed forces or prison, custody or detention in

the past• you can no longer stay in your home because someone has

been violent or abusive towards you or has threatened you with violence. This includes anyone facing harassment due to her/his gender, ethnic origin or religion

What can we do ?

First Steps - Interview

• Patience and GraceClient (Fear, Isolation, Trust, Despondency)Authorities (Control, Their responsibility?)

• HonestyYou cannot have ………….

• Information, information, informationPersonal (Basic (age), Nationality, NI number, Medical issues?)Where are they living now, Are they Local ?Who have they seen so far, outcome ? Are they immigrants, what is their status ? (immigration?)Are they European, what is their status ? (Work permits?)Are they in the system? What benefits now ?Do they possess paperwork (need to replace?)Do they have a postal address, telephone, internet

First Steps - Options

• Local & Eligible for help

Night Shelter

Referral or self referral to hostel or council/social housing

• Local but not yet eligible. Why ?

Start benefits application/re-application

Night Shelter

Referral or self referral to hostel or council/social housing

• Not Local but eligible for help

Night shelter

Try Self referral to Local hostel

Referral to alternative Council/Agency

First Steps – Options ……continued

• European and Accession (Romania and Bulgaria)Night shelter or squatIf NI number, referral as per eligibleTraining for training permit then work permit (then eligible)Return home?SAWS (seasonal agricultural workers scheme)Self Employment & the Big Issue

• Immigrants (legal, illegal, asylum or refugee)Night ShelterImmigration department (Border Agency//Home office

Responsibility?)

• Ex-Military, Scottish, Irish, Vulnerable (Young)Additional agencies and Social services

Options in Detail

Self-Referral and Night Shelters ….

• Emmaus

Community living out of system

http://www.emmaus.org.uk/south-lambeth/joining

South Lambeth Community, 020 8761 4340

• St. Mungo’s Shelters

No emergency shelters but could try …

Rushworth Street, Southwark 020 7112 1590

Margery Street, Islington, 020 7837 1090

• West London Night Shelter

November to April, First come first served

• Hope worldwide

Accommodation Whilst waiting for Benefits. 020 7713 7655

Self-Referral and Night Shelters ….Continued

• Contact ‘Shelter’ for area Availability0808 800 44448am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun

• Cold weather shelters listhttp://www.homeless.org.uk/cold-weather-provision.

• Christian Community - BetelOut of London, Not homeless solution life solution 12-18 monthsBirmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Watford, Manchester, DublinTelephone Interview Requiredhttp://www.betel.org.uk

Self-Referral and Night Shelters ….Continued

• Year round night shelters/hostelsSt Martin's Night Centre12 Adelaide Street, Westminster020 7766 554410pm - 7.30amhttp://www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/

Shelter from the storm0207 697 9569Islington, referral requiredhttp://sfts.org.uk/

Referral outside our area

If someone is on the street and not in either Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham or Westminster, then

the London street rescue operates in all other London boroughs.

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/on-the-street/get-help/

Apply online for help to send someone to the client

Referrals – Street Teams ……..

Street teams provide assessment and contacts for referral. Each council handles this Differently

• Kensington and Chelsea social inclusion teamMichael, Sally and Magda (Team co-ordinator Rachel)Social Inclusion Team and Outreach ServicesTel: 020 341 5210 Team Tel number (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)Other contact Details

• Hammersmith and Fulham Street Outreach Response Team (SORT) Tel: 0870 383 3311Online Referral form for faster access

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/hammersmith-fulham-sort/hammersmith-fulham-sort-rough-sleeper-referral-form/

Referrals – Street Teams …….. Continued

• Westminster

Access day centres to get an immediate assessment

The Connection at St Martin's (16+)

12 Adelaide Street, WC2 - 020 7766 5544St Mungos Westminster Building Based Services

138A Seymour Place, W1 - 020 7724 9256

Open to verified rough sleepers only:   The Passage

St Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, SW1P - 020 7592 1850

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/on-the-street/other-

outreach-teams/?entryid8=345

Referrals - Councils

Try contacting the council. To be honest not usually much use. The council only has a legal obligation to

house people who are statutory homeless.

However, Each council does however have a local homeless persons unit you can call to clarify what they can do. This is open during offices hours as

follows

Hammersmith & Fulham : 020 8748 8588

Kensington & Chelsea : 020 7361 2950

Westminster : 020 7286 7412 

Referrals – Alternative (Street rescue teams)

• Online ‘street rescue’ referral

http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/on-the-street/get-help/

• St. Mungo's street outreach teams.

These go out each evening and you can make a referral request to them using the following form

http://www.mungos.org/tell_us_about_a_rough_sleeper

Referrals – Alternative (Vulnerable (young))

If they are aged 16 or 17 and are homeless they will normally be entitled to accommodation from social services. Social services can also provide financial assistance, help with training and education, and support to help tackle personal issues.

Make sure the people you contact as the referral group are aware of their age and they will be given priority.

Referrals – Alternative (Scottish) ….

Several charities exist in London that are financed by scottish people for scottish people. Contacting these groups may help to speed up the process using their own contacts.

• Scots care

A One stop shop for help and advice for 1st and 2nd Generation Scottish people (2nd generation means that one or both parents were born in Scotland). Not only do they have advisors that will help people who fall into their Help group, they also have 63 flats of their own although these are used for older people or people with a manageable disability.

Phone 0800 652 2989 Website http://www.scotscare.com/

Referrals – Alternative (Scottish) …. Continued

• BorderlineBorderline offers support and advice to homeless and insecurely housed Scots in London. They can provide an Assessment and referrals to resettlement options such as hostels and supported housing with priority access to bed spaces with partner hostels in London. They will also if a client wishes help them to return home to Scotland.

Phone 0800 174 047 Website http://www.borderline-uk.org/

Referrals – Alternative (Irish)

• There is a drop-in support and advice service available for Irish people in the Irish Cultural Centre in Blacks road in Hammersmith. The centre runs many different activities for Irish people, and the drop-in advice centre is available every working day between 10.00- 1.00.

Phone 020 8741 0466

Website http://www.irishadvice.org.uk/index.html

Referrals – Alternative (Ex-Military)….

If they were ex-forces then there are several charities that specifically help, many with their own accommodation

• Sir Oswald Stoll FoundationHave several housing schemes, the main one in the Fulham road. They also have a scheme to help formerly homeless armed forces Veterans to gain access to public housing thanks to Stoll’s Veteran’s Nomination Scheme, set up in partnership with Shepherds Bush and Saxon Weald Housing Associations. The scheme supports ex-Service personnel who are ready to move on from temporary accommodation following a period of homelessness, or for those living in unsuitable accommodation. The scheme has been developed to fill the large gaps in provision that cause single Veterans of working age to be ineligible for social housing.

Phone 020 7385 2110http://www.oswaldstoll.org.uk/

Referrals – Alternative (Ex-Military)…. Continued

• SSAFA (Soldiers, sailors, airmen and families association) Provides Advice and assistance relataing to many needs including temporary supported accommodation to rough sleepers and much more. The London Homeless Division works with ex-Service rough sleepers. Priority action is taken in the areas of primary needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Any other issues that arise, and are relevant to improving the welfare of the client, are also looked at and appropriate referrals made. More details at http://www.ssafa.org.uk/how-we-help/housing/

Phone London Homeless division 020 7828 2468http://www.ssafa.org.uk

Referrals – Alternative (Ex-Military)…. Continued

• Veterans AidNot only provides direct and immediate help on accommodation, meal vouchers. Advocacy, clothing etc. they also have their own hostel ‘New Belvedere House’, to help homeless ex-service personnel. They have a drop-in centre opened from 8.30 to 15.30 Mon to Fri or you can phone them for help.

Drop-in Centre 40 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW10800 012 6897http://www.veterans-aid.net/

Squatting

• Squatting - Setting up camp on a parcel of land or moving into an abandoned or unused dwelling.

• Crisis estimates that 40% of single homeless people have squatted.• New law came in 1st September 2012 – ‘Legal Aid, Sentencing and

Punishment of Offenders’ Bill, clause 130 makes squatting in residential properties illegal.

• However, if the property is non residential, or the people were tenants or sub tenants, then still a civil offence against the landlord/owner. It Is not Illegal.

• To squat, squatters access property that as become insecure through vandalism, Change the locks, then place a legal notice to the affect that no offence has/is being commited because of circumstances outside the law. An example of this is on the squatters website or available from ASS.

• Section 6 of criminal law act no longer applies in Squats.

http://www.squatter.org.uk/

European Accession – Returning Home

The London Reconnection Project has been set up to help vulnerable Central and Eastern European Nationals who are sleeping rough on the streets of London and have expressed a wish to return to their home country.

The service offers advice on how someone can return home, as well as information about the support services available within their home country if the person decides to return.

Referral you can use the form below or call them on 0870 383 3322.http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/london-reconnection-project/http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/routes-home/how-to-use-routes-home/

European Accession – Employment

To Work here and therefore pay for accommodation• Need a blue or yellow registration certificate or a purple work card

(accession work card). A blue card is a high skilled worker, a Yellow indicates self employed, student or self sufficient. If self employed then only that work and registered for PAYE. Anything else, an employer needs ot get a work permit to allow you to get a purple card.

• Two jobs that do not Require a purple card but restricts workers are the SAWS scheme (provides attached accommodation) and the Sectors based scheme (food industry) usually with accommodation as well.

• SAWS is through 9 registered operators, SBS through Jobcentre plus.

European Accession – SAWS Scheme

• Seasonal Agricultural workers scheme• Run by 9 government approved operators• Workers paid minimum agricultural wage and provided

accommodation health and safety and other conditions approved.• Fixed number work cards issued per year, once issued scheme

closed for year. • Work periods up to 6 months only. This Disallows access to

benefits.

Leaflets in English Bulgarian and Romanian :• http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/eucitizens/bulgaria-romania/saws/

European Accession – EU Expansion

The homelessness problems we have received with the A8 and A2 countrieswill not end at the end of 2013 when Bulgaria and Romania have finally passedout of the restrictions period placed on them for full membership. New countriesare constantly applying for EEU membership and each will be assessed on itsown merits for accession to a full member state. This means similar restrictions

may be placed on citizens of some of these countries during its accessionperiod to full membership. The following countries are currently in negotiation

regarding EU membership.

Croatia and Turkey started accession talks on 3 October 2005. Turkey couldcomplete them in 10-15 years, but Croatia is set to join the EU in mid-2013.

The other Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia-Hertgovinia, Macedonia,Montenegro, Serbia), have been told they can join the EU one day, if they meetthe criteria. These include democracy, the rule of law, a market economy and

adherence to the EU's goals of political and economic union.

Iceland is the latest country to seek EU membership.

Immigration Issues (Asylum or refugee)

Illegal immigrants on the streets may be able to claim refugee status and asylum support. Certain requirements must be met to be recognised as a refugee.

Once a process has started the Home office assess the persons needs, such as suitable accomodaton and money and support is provided if an aggreement is signed. They do not get to choose where they live. If their application is rejected, then they can still receive short term support whilst waiting to return to their countr of origiin.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/asylum/support/

Benefits documentation

Checklists and forms to support housing and benefit claims and many others.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/checklists__and__forms