EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Local authorities' homelessness strategies

Local authorities' homelessness strategies

Introduction

Looks at how local authorities are tackling their new homelessness responsibilities based on an evaluation of the strategies they are required to produce under the Homelessness Act 2002.

Description

This document:

reports on an evaluation of the strategies local authorities have developed under the 2002 Homelessness Act;
sets out the legislative framework and government requirements;
describes the findings of the evaluation on the development of the process and aspects of tackling homelessness, divided into separate sections on reviews, strategies and action plans;
makes recommendations for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, local authorities and other agencies; and
gives examples of good practice within the various sections.

Background information

The Homelessness Act 2002 was intended to bring about a step change in the way many local authorities approach the issue of homelessness. It requires local housing authorities (LHAs) to take a more comprehensive approach, promoting prevention over traditional and reactive responses, and taking an overview of future needs. This evaluation was carried out between February and July 2004, on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Methodology

All 354 LHAs submitted their reviews and strategies. Self-assessment forms submitted for other monitoring purposes were also analysed. A group of 14 authorities (covering each region) attended a workshop to discuss the process of strategy development and lessons for the future. A template was used for the evaluation, comprising a checklist of questions The methodology for evaluating the reviews and strategies highlighted all aspects of the process laid down as statutory requirements.

Conclusions

This report concludes that overall that the process of local authorities reviewing local homelessness and producing strategies has been very positive. The main causes of homelessness were found to be: parents/friends/other relatives no longer willing/able to accommodate, violent relationship breakdown with partner, and loss of tenancy through the termination of assured shorthold tenancy. Other findings were that:

black and minority ethnic issues were neglected by many authorities;
many reviews failed to address non-statutory homelessness fully or at all;
engagement with other agencies is key; and
action planning was a weak point in many strategies – arrangements for monitoring and evaluation need to be sharpened.

Contact info

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Phone: +44 20 7944 4400
hmd.comms@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

10/11/2004

Researcher

Housing Quality Network Services

Article info
ISBN: 1851127519

Links

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department for Communities and Local Government)Housing Quality Network Services

Local authorities' homelessness strategies. Evaluation and Good Practice Guide (PDF, Eng, 572KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Keywords

Homelessness