Objective 1: Prevention |
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Action |
Outcomes |
Lead |
Timescale |
Update Feb 2022 |
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1.1 |
Continue tenancy mediation service for private sector landlords and tenants and involve third sectors and partners if suitable. |
• Fewer private sector evictions • Reductions in family evictions |
MBC Maidstone Mediation Private landlords |
On-going |
We continue to make referrals and service is operational |
1.2 |
Provide low income households with finance and budget management advice and guidance through our Financial inclusion Officer and look to expand this in-house programme
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• Fewer rent arrears amongst private sector tenants • Fewer private sector evictions • Additional staff |
MBC Registered Providers CAB |
On-going |
A number of staff are in post who support households in financial difficulties. Predicative analytics is fully embedded through the One View platform.
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1.3 |
Work in partnership with MBC communications team to educate young people within the borough about the realities of homelessness
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• Fewer young people presenting as homeless • Expectations will be in line with options. |
MBC Schools Housing support providers |
December 2020 |
Housing Advice Manager has approached schools. Working towards embedding this.
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1.4 |
Roll out the Predictive Analytics systems across MBC to help identify those at risk of homelessness |
• Model operational • Clear outcomes demonstrated • More partners involved |
Housing Advice Manager |
April 2020 |
Implemented. Expansion plans to look at singles who are at risk of Rough Sleeping. More partners will to be added. Recipient of the Local Government Award |
1.5 |
Allocation Scheme to be reviewed to include the “Staying Put” incentive. |
• Reviewed and amended |
Head of Service |
Dec 2019 |
Implemented – reviewed in Sept 2021 |
1.6 |
Develop the Intentional Homelessness Protocol with key partners and start working towards eliminating those outcomes for households |
• Protocol in place and implemented throughout practice. • Seek specific accommodation for IH households as trial tenancies and a route into mainstream accommodation
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Housing and Inclusion Manager |
July 2020 |
IH pathway has been developed internally and has been successful. Further work underway with KHOG to develop a County wide agreement.
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1.7 |
Work with registered providers to ensure they accommodate those house hold which are the most vulnerable and may include those found to be IH.
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• Develop networking opportunities • Those must vulnerable are being accommodated |
Housing and Inclusion Manager |
On-going |
Liaison meetings with Golding Homes. CSVG continues – Virtual viewings Offering additional support to RP’s to ensure tenancy sustainment. |
1.8 |
Development of a crash pad option for young people to give some time out from the parental home |
• Reduction in the number of parental evictions • Increase in the number of successful reconnections to family
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Housing Advice Manager |
April 2021 |
KCC – Social Care – are in place across Kent. |
1.9 |
The creation of a drop in and hub service for people facing homelessness which is not located within the Link; to include debt advice and support, floating support and signposting. |
• Location identified and developed. • Staff are working outside of the office to ensure maximum engagement with the community • Increase in digital inclusion |
Housing and Inclusion Manager |
April 2020 |
Trinity will be offering our “front door” service to all Housing Departments in Maidstone. Partnership development with other agencies to offer activities and interventions. |
Objective 2: Accommodation |
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Action |
Outcomes |
Lead |
Timescale |
Update Feb 2022 |
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2.1 |
Deliver phase three of emergency accommodation within the borough and reduce nightly paid accommodation. |
• Reduce use of bed and breakfast accommodation • Reduce costs to the authority |
MBC |
Decembe2019 |
Purchase and Repair phase four is underway |
2.2 |
Support the development and implementation of the affordable housing supplementary planning document |
• More social homes available within the borough • Those most in need able to secure a social home |
MBC Registered Providers |
On-going |
Completed |
2.3 |
Review the Homefinder lettings scheme to ensure value for money and delivering effective outcomes. |
• Ensure a scheme fit for purpose. |
Housing and Inclusion Manager |
January 2021 |
Completed but still under review. |
2.4 |
MBC to work towards balancing the housing market through Maidstone Property Holdings |
• More homeless and rough sleeping households accommodated through MPH
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Head of service |
On-going wit quarterly reviews |
Completed |
2.5 |
Develop a MBC floating support service using new funding streams. |
• More households are being supported through the traditional floating support model – this to be needs led and not dictated by a timeframe.
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Housing and Inclusion Manager |
August 2020 |
Partially completed and work continuing towards a robust Floating Support service via RSI funding.
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2.6 |
Local Housing Allowance – seek to lobby the government on an uplift which reflect the local market rates. |
• Raise this at more senor levels including KHG and central government forums.
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Head of Service |
On-going |
Completed |
Objective 3: Support for Vulnerable People |
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Action |
Outcomes |
Lead |
Timescale |
Update Feb 2022 |
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3.1 |
Ensure vulnerable people have sufficient access to appropriate housing and support services |
• Quicker, simpler referrals between housing and health services • More self-contained accommodation within the borough • People with mental health needs can access appropriate accommodation • Fewer vulnerable households are evicted |
MBC KMPT Registered Providers |
April 2021
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Completed Range of supported housing options available in Maidstone including: Lily Smith House Pippin Court MBC supported housing
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3.2 |
Continued support for victims of domestic abuse through: 1. Sanctuary 2. MARAC 3. One Stop Shop |
• Fewer people fleeing domestic abuse at point of crisis • Increased resilience for individuals suffering domestic abuse • Increased homelessness prevention for victims of domestic abuse • Attendance at the OSS by Housing Advisors |
MBC One Stop Shop |
On-going |
On-going DA and SG coordinator has been embedded. Working towards a central DA offer. Trinity will host the DA forum and the One Stop Shop. |
3.3 |
Develop appropriate accommodation for ex-offenders within Maidstone. |
• Reduction in re-offending rates amongst ex-offenders • Close working relationship with Probation and support providers. • More accommodation options • Increase in individuals accessing work and training who have an offending background.
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MBC Kent Probation Kent Prison Service Kent |
August 2019 |
Completed the funding of The Link Project AfO funding for a Housing First model in Maidstone
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3.4 |
Continue the development of the hospital discharge program ensuring MBC have robust relationships with all key health partners |
• Service level agreements are developed with those partners. • Expansion into MDT’s for mental health services • On-going review of outcomes achieved to review if service needs amendment. |
MBC and CCG’s. MTW. Littlebrook and Priority House. |
Dec 2019 |
MTW is embedded and fully functional, Cottage Hospital and KIMS. Virtual engagement. |
3.5 |
Improve access to GPs and primary care services for homeless households and rough sleepers.
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• Increase the numbers of households in temporary and emergency accommodation accessing primary health care services • Increase no. of rough sleepers accessing primary health care services |
MBC, CCG’s and medical facilities across Maidstone |
Reviewed in March 2020 |
KCHFT provide physical health to Rough Sleeping and at risk homeless individuals. Collaborative working agreement underway for One You service and the housing teams. Include health care in the PhP |
3.6 |
Staff are well trained and have specialist knowledge on a range of support issues. |
• Staff specialisms are developed and encouraged • Regular training undertaken • Staff can work with the most complex and be empathic and supportive |
H&IM, AM and HAM |
On-going but reviewed twice yearly in line with performance |
Completed |
Objective 4: Rough Sleepers
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Action |
Outcomes |
Lead |
Timescale |
Update Feb 2022 |
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4.1 |
Continue the roll out of the Housing First Model |
• More households accommodated through housing first • Seek funding to continue the programme of providing on-going support to those accommodated.
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Housing and Inclusion Manager |
December 2019 |
Completed |
4.2 |
Seek post 2020 funding for the outreach service. |
• Continuation of service post April 2020
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Housing and Inclusion Manager |
March 2020 |
Completed and on-going – RSI funding package underway for years 5-8 |
4.3 |
Work with the various voluntary groups to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling rough sleeping |
· Reduced numbers of rough sleepers in the district · Increase in cohesive services · Multiagency approach to the most complex i.e. Blue Light
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Housing and Inclusion Manager |
On-going |
Completed |
4.4 |
Explore ways of acquiring suitable move-on accommodation |
· A viable pathway from the assessment centre to settled living can be achieved and sustained |
Accommodation Manager |
On-going |
Trinity and our Homefinder scheme has recently been reviewed to ensure we can meet the needs of single homeless |
4.5 |
Develop the social enterprise for rough sleepers in partnership with One Maidstone. |
· Board mobilised and shop opened. · Service users have co-produced the model and ideas with staff · Shop becomes self-operational |
Outreach Services Manager |
August 2020 |
This is a priority for Trinity once open. The Homeless Navigators are working towards this. |
Seek to work with soup kitchens and other charitable services to provide a cohesive support offer to rough sleepers. |
· Regular meetings · Standard support offer to rough sleepers · Reconnection for those with no local connection |
Outreach Services Manager |
March 2019 |
Work continuing on this. |