Transcript link - Housing Justice

Amanda Croome - CEO
The Manchester situation
• Homelessness is increasing across Greater
Manchester
• Homelessness is becoming more visible
Rough Sleeping statistics
Head counts give a snap shot of rough sleeping trends
• In 2014 rough sleeping nationally increased by 14%
• Manchester, Rochdale and Salford had the highest
levels of rough sleeping in the North West.
• In 2014 rough sleeping in Manchester increased by
79% and in Salford by 100%
• Manchester now has the highest level of rough
sleeping outside London. It has increased by over
500% since 2010
Severe Cold Weather Statistics
Manchester’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol was
activated 3 times last winter;
• 234 individuals presented at the Hub at the Booth
Centre.
• 193 people were accommodated
• 34 were reconnected to their home area
• 85% Male
• 19% under 25
• 26% EEA nationals
Benefit changes and destitution
Benefit reforms are leaving many people with no
income – increasing level of homelessness and
leaving some people destitute
• Sanctions
• Roll out of Universal Credit
• Changes in entitlement for EEA migrants
• Asylum seekers – with no entitlement to
benefits
Changes in Employment Patterns
30% of people coming to the Booth Centre have been in work in
the last 6 months, however maintaining accommodation while in
work is becoming more difficult due to;
• Increase in temporary work contracts
• Increase in part time working
• More zero hours contracts
Cuts to services
Government spending cuts
• Cuts to general support services, social care,
advice services, drug and alcohol treatment
(Manchester has had to make £59m in savings in 2015/16 rising to £90m in 2016/17)
• Closure of hostels
(Manchester’s Housing related support budget has been cut by 34% £2m)
• Reduction in funding for rough sleeping
services such as No Second Night Out
Homelessness Strategy
• Every local authority has to have a
homelessness strategy.
• This is a way that voluntary sector and faith
based organisations can work with statutory
services.
Long term solutions
• Statutory services can only provide part of the
solution to homelessness.
• Voluntary and faith based organisations are
needed now more than ever and can provide
more holistic support which recognises the
complex needs that many homeless people
have.
Complex Needs
Booth Centre statistic show
• 51% of people have an alcohol problem
• 32% have a drug problem
• 85% have mental health problems
• 31% have had recent involvement with the
criminal justice system
• 22% have physical health problems
Homelessness is only one element of their
problems
New solutions are needed……
Which is what today is all about!!