EUKN - United Kingdom - Shelter Inclusion Project

Shelter Inclusion Project

Introduction

The Shelter Inclusion Project, set up by Shelter and Rochdale Metropolitan Council, works with households in Rochdale that are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of reported anti-social behaviour.

Problem

The project provides a package of support to families, couples, and single people who are having difficulty complying with their tenancy agreements because of reported anti-social behaviour, or who are homeless as a result.

Description

This report:

evaluates the Shelter Inclusion Project;
outlines the support offered by the project;
profiles the service users, providing demographic information and information about support needs;
details the types of anti-social behaviour that the households were involved in; and
outlines the interim outcomes of the project.

The research was carried out by the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York.

Approach

The project provides a wide range of practical, emotional and social support and interventions to households, including:

housing advocacy;
help with rehousing and setting up a new home;
helping with benefits and money management;
support with addressing anti-social behaviour issues;
practical assistance (such as decorating, gardening and repairs, providing goods);
limited financial assistance (eg providing decorating vouchers);
liaising with, and referring on, to other agencies;
general emotional support;
developing self-confidence, social skills and social activities;
support with health issues, particularly depression;
assistance with accessing education and training;
parenting advice and support;
addressing school attendance;
addressing children’s behavioural issues; and
fun days for households.

Results

The project provides a flexible, responsive and comprehensive service to users with often complex and high levels of support needs and through its work has successfully addressed anti-social behaviour through a host of supports and interventions. All households who left the service were said to have made good progress or some progress in addressing anti-social behaviour, and none of the key service-users who had been subject to actions for anti-social behaviour were still subject to these actions at the point of leaving the service.

Beneficiaries

Households in Rochdale (Greater Manchester) that are homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result of reported anti-social behaviour.

Resources used

The project employs a Project Manager, four Support Workers (two full-time and two half-time), two Children and Young Persons Workers (job share), a Children and Young Persons Service Team Leader and administrative support.

Financing

The project has an annual budget of approximately £300,000.

Contact info

Shelter
Phone: +44 207 505 2000
info@shelter.org.uk

Project start date

01/10/2002

Planned end date

01/10/2005

Links

Shelter Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York

Shelter Inclusion Project: two years on (PDF, Eng, 194KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Keywords

Homelessness