The Fair Chance Fund Engagement Events w/c 24th February, 2014 l Homelessness Acceptances Characteristics of homeless households, Q3 2013, England Numbers of households accepted as homeless 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 Rest of England 20,000 London Household type: Female lone parent household Couple with dependent children One person household - male One person household - female Male lone parent household Other Total 45% 21% 13% 11% 4% 6% 100% 15,000 10,000 5,000 201212 201112 201012 200912 200812 200712 200612 200512 200412 200312 200212 200112 200012 199912 199812 199712 199612 0 Age of applicant: 16 to 24 25 to 44 45 to 59 60 to 64 65 to 74 75 and over Total 28% 55% 13% 2% 2% 1% 100% •The latest homelessness acceptance figures for England were down 4% on last year, but the pattern isn't uniform across the country. •28% of homelessness acceptances aged under 25. 66% of acceptances households with children. •£470M DCLG spend on homelessness over 4 year spending review period mostly to local authorities. 2 Homelessness Ministerial Working Group Homelessness Ministerial Working Group established 2010. Chaired by Housing Minister with representation from DWP, MoJ DH, Home Office, MoD, DfE and BIS Two reports so far: 1st report focussed on rough sleeping and launched No Second Night Out across the country. 2nd report: “Making Every Contact Count” focussed on a more joined up approach to homelessness prevention and on youth homelessness in particular. Launched Youth Homelessness Pathway. 3 Youth Homelessness Pathway 1. Minimise Demand: Education work in schools /other places on reality of housing choices 2. Reduce Demand & Crisis 3. Reduce/ Avert Crisis Early intervention targeted to keep young people in family network Plan & prepare with those at risk of homelessness BEFORE they are in crisis 5. Supported accommodation as a starting point for those with higher needs or younger age (16/17) 8. Young person is ready to make their next move with minimal/no support and is positively engaged in ETE 6. Floating Support in accommodation - likely to be shared in private rented sector 7. Shared student style accommodation for those in FE, employment or apprenticeship with “light touch” support 4. Single Integrated Service Gateway Prevention, assessment of need, planning advice & options AND access to other services e.g. ETE & Job Centre Plus Range of health services Life skills Benefits advice Steps 5-7 Young people can access 3 broad options and move between them until they are ready to move on. Why do some young people slip through the net? Statutory Homelessness Duty limited to those in priority need. i.e. Homeless single people under 18 (who would usually legally qualify for help from Children’s Services) Homeless families with dependent children Homeless care leavers under 21 Otherwise, homeless young people aged 18 or over, and those who are intentionally homeless do not usually qualify for a statutory duty to accommodate them, although they are entitled to advice and assistance. Some young people may sort themselves out with help from family and friends. Some may have homelessness prevented e.g. return to living with their families – often the best outcome. Some may be accommodated in supported housing e.g. foyer, hostel, supported accommodation for young people. 5 Why do some young people slip through the net? But some young homeless people with serious problems do not get effective help because, for example, they may: Have been repeatedly evicted, or abandoned accommodation Exhibit chaotic behaviour Not engage with services Have a history of violence or gang involvement Have a history of offending Be found to be intentionally homeless Be evicted from or not accepted into hostels or supported housing due to their assessed needs and associated risks and so are not accommodated These issues may also be associated with drug and alcohol issues, mental health problems, personality disorder, trauma, abuse, a history of being in care… If not given the right support, this is a group who is likely to become long term rough sleepers, prolific offenders, long term benefit dependant, die early. 6 Why do some young people slip through the net? So not a homogenous group, but we think can be defined as: Homeless (as broadly defined by the homelessness legislation) Not legally entitled to accommodation through Homelessness or Children’s legislation. Under 25. Local authority would like to assist, but are not able to help them in existing supported housing because of their high support needs or other difficulties. or in other words: They are recognised by local authorities and their partners as in need of accommodation and intensive support, but are likely to fall through the net of existing services. 7 The Fair Chance Fund Government wants to help do more to assist this group of young people because: 1. We want to tackle homelessness and give these vulnerable young people a better chance in life. 2. We think this will offer long term benefits to the rest of society, and save money in the long run. 3. We believe that given flexible funding and the freedom to innovate and use their knowledge, expertise and passion, the voluntary sector can be very effective in turning these young people round in a surprisingly short space of time. 8 The Fair Chance Fund Features of the fund: • Up to £15M to pay for outcomes from DCLG and the Cabinet Office. • We will pay for: Success in getting and sustaining suitable accommodation Success in getting and keeping work Success in obtaining recognised qualifications • Outcomes need to be achieved in 3 years between January 2015 and December 2017. • Many of the outcomes, especially accommodation outcomes, need to be achieved in 2015/16. • Up to £15K in total payable per person. 9 The Fair Chance Fund Stage 1. Expressions of Interest Providers to complete application form and demonstrate support from at least one local authority. Assessed on: Track record of working with vulnerable young people. Ability to achieve successful accommodation and EET outcomes with target group. Partnerships, including support from at least one local authority. Proposed mechanism to identify client group. 10 The Fair Chance Fund • 100% payment by results – though considering the possibility of an assessment fee. • Two stage competitive grant process: Stage 1. Expressions of interest by service providers. Stage 2. Full bids. Expected Timetable: 22nd April 2014 – Expressions of interest phase will close. May 2014 – Invitation to submit full bids. October 2014 – Winners announced. Christmas 2014 – all grant agreements in place. April 2015 – first outcomes payments claimed. March 2018 – last outcomes payments claimed. 11 The Fair Chance Fund Stage 2. Full Bids Bids can be from social investment SPVs or providers, and will need local authority commitment in all areas they propose to work. Assessment criteria not finalised but likely to include: Characteristics of cohort to be worked with within target client and evidence of local need. Proposed methodology and resourcing. Price (below maximum tariff levels, but also dependent on nature of group to be worked with). Evidence of available funding to support the work. Expected outcomes to be achieved including timing of outcomes. 12 The Fair Chance Fund Stage 2. Full Bids Assessment criteria not finalised but likely to include: Level of Social Investment (bids supported by social investment are preferred) Scale – bids will need to be to achieve outcomes worth between £500K and £3M. We expect larger bids may need to cover more than one local authority, given the specific nature of the target client group. Credibility and robustness of referral mechanism. Is this strongly backed by a local authority. Can we be confident that it will ensure help goes to those who need it most and that “cherry picking” is avoided. Sustainability and additionality. 13 The Fair Chance Fund Additional Local Outcomes? We are also considering the possibility of allowing local authorities to pay for additional outcomes with match funding from Cabinet Office. This would be optional, but could mean: Widening the client group Paying for different outcomes Where this makes sense locally. 14 What Next • Expressions of Interest Application Form to go on DCLG website asap. • Please complete by closing date • Please answer non - assessed questions on outcomes metrics and tariffs • Start talking to local authorities – you will need local authority support to go forward to next stage and local authority involvement will be crucial for full bids • Start thinking about Social Investment • Let us know if you have any questions 15