Welfare Reform on the Web (October 2003): Homelessness - UK

FORECASTING NEED

A. Waugh

Roof, Sept/Oct 2003, p.24-25

New legislation in Scotland has given all homeless people the right to temporary accommodation, whether or not they are in priority need. Article looks at how councils can use existing statistical data to estimate how much extra temporary accommodation they will need.

HE'S NOBODY'S PRIORITY

M. Delargy

Roof, Sept./Oct 2003, p.18-20

Single homeless people are getting stuck in hostels for years due to lack of suitable move-on accommodation.

HOMELESSNESS: CASE LAW - R (ON THE APPLICATION OF B) V LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

The Journal of Social Housing Law and Practice, No. 5, August/September 2003, p.5-6

The high court declared that a person who is in prison is homeless if s/he has no accommodation outside prison. The judgement is especially significant for offenders who can only be released early under the "tagging" scheme if they have accommodation to go to.

LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING ADVICE

E. Hawkey

Roof, Sept./Oct 2003, p.27-32

Looks at how local authorities can restructure their housing advice services to prevent homelessness.

NOWHERE TO GO

S. Ellery

Young People Now, Sept. 3rd-9th 2003, p.14-15

Discusses the impact of the Homelessness Act 2002 on local authority services to homeless young people. The Act's focus on prevention has increased the use of mediation to prevent family breakdown, which often leads to teenagers being made homeless.

OLD BEFORE OUR TIME

A. Babb

Bristol: Salvation Army Social Services Centre, 2003

Report is based on the work of resettling older homeless people undertaken by the Salvation Army in Bristol. Recommends establishment of a specific resettlement service that provides for older people according to their needs. Calls for:

• special high support sheltered housing;
• provision of financial assistance for furnishing of a flat;
• long tern tenancy support; a
• the establishment of mentoring schemes, counselling services and substance abuse groups.