Cardiff Health Alliance : Cynghrair Iechyd Caerdydd

Reconfiguring the Council's homelessness services

• The merger of the Housing Help Centre into the new Housing Advice Unit has provided a more focussed service response to those seeking assistance. The inclusion of voluntary sector partners in this revised Unit such as Llamau's Housing Options Project for young people and Cardiff Bond Board has also proved beneficial in providing access to more appropriate assistance.
• The development of a range of preventative options has assisted in reducing the number of applications for assistance and the pressure placed on available housing. Financial assistance, reviewing accommodation options, working through relationship issues and practical assistance and support are all measures used to assist in the prevention of homelessness.

Elimination of the use of Bed and Breakfast establishments

The development of the 26-bed Nightingale House family hostel, closely followed by the acquisition of Adams Court 72 unit scheme, has contributed to the elimination of the use of bed and breakfast establishments as temporary accommodation. Additionally, the functions of managing temporary accommodation properties and the move-on of households placed, have been separated to give greater effectiveness.

Frontline Hostels working collaboratively to achieve wider strategic aims

The six direct access hostels in Cardiff have developed working arrangements to improve inter-agency referrals, which support the work of the reinvigorated Access Panel which seeks to facilitate access into services for the most chaotic service users. Additionally the hostels work together to provide emergency bed-spaces for those who are more vulnerable, supported via a dedicated Emergency Bed Co-ordinator.

Expansion of resettlement options

• Research undertaken into bed-blocking and problems with move-on in the city and the resultant report recommended that the existing Resettlement Strategy be overhauled. This work is currently ongoing under the guidance of a multi-agency steering group.
• Changes have been made to the homeless application process, to include a fairer method for identifying where applicants want to be rehoused within existing resource constraints. Maps identifying the availability of Council re-lets within all wards in the city help to highlight the problems with high demand areas and the lack of turnaround of certain sizes of properties.
• Access to the previously untapped resource of accommodation in the private rented sector has been made possible through joint working with Cadwyn Housing Association. The CalonAdref scheme leases unfurnished properties to be used to resettle homeless families who have been accepted by the Council under the legislation and the CalonLettings scheme helps facilitate access to private lettings for families and single people, primarily those moving on from supported accommodation.

Raising the profile of homelessness and housing issues

Cardiff has been fortunate to have a Homelessness Champion who is very supportive of what is being achieved in Cardiff, and Elected Members are made aware of the housing pressures through the publication of "Is That All There Is?" This outlines the availability of Council housing stock and levels of demand for specific areas.

Partnership working to develop and progress solutions to homelessness

The Multi-Agency Homelessness Strategy and Advisory Planning Group has been key to progressing the strategic response to homelessness in Cardiff. Agreement is reached on the prioritisation of applications for Council grant funding, a key resource in establishing innovative solutions to homelessness and the Group co-ordinates the Annual Homelessness Conference.

1. To improve the health of homeless people, through joint working with the Local Health Board and the Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust in developing an appropriate service response assisted through the implementation of the Homeless and Vulnerable Groups Health Action Plan (HaVGHAP).
2. To promote equality and social cohesion for homeless people and to ensure that policies, strategies and services for homeless people do not discriminate or cause inequalities.
3. To develop a robust Homelessness Strategy, including a revised action plan and monitoring arrangements.
4. To develop and deliver services to meet the needs of homeless people, including the ongoing development of the Single Point Assessment Centre.
5. To promote the independence of homeless people, through exploring a range of initiatives to assist with accessing education, training and employment opportunities.
6. To meet the accommodation needs of homeless people, through identifying strategic relevance and cost effectiveness of temporary accommodation and supported housing services.
7. To safeguard the needs of both homeless families with children and young homeless people and develop services as appropriate.
8. To provide appropriate, accessible and readily available information to homeless people.
9. To raise awareness and provide training on homelessness issues to other professionals.
10. To involve homeless people in the planning and monitoring of services.