The National Plan to End Homelessness (A National Plan to End Homelessness) published this week has been long awaited and rightly well received.
It’s a great strategy, in terms of its tone, its breadth and the clear commitments backed up by specific funding streams.
The recognition that dedicated ringfenced funding is critical to delivering government ambition is very welcome.
‘Our new funding arrangements will bring an end to the current tension that forces councils to choose between investment in prevention and meeting temporary accommodation costs, by creating dedicated ringfenced funds for prevention.’
The vital and unique role of the voluntary and community sector runs like a golden thread through the document, something that has been missing for me in many government publications I have read in the last month.
‘we recognise the vital role of the voluntary, community and faith sector in supporting people experiencing homelessness, especially those who are most vulnerable, hard to reach and at higher risk of long-term rough sleeping and repeat homelessness. With its deep roots in communities, the sector is well positioned to work with councils and wider public services to share insights, promote good practice, and strengthen local homelessness strategies. Their trusted relationships with individuals enable them to design and deliver innovative, trauma-informed, and person-centred interventions that complement council services.’
The commitment to work according to the Civil Society Covenant is very much appreciated.
I started my career in homelessness and supported housing and I am sad to say 35 years later, many of the systemic issues I faced as a young housing worker are still prevalent today.
“There just isn’t enough of the right types of accommodation and support that would support people with complex needs available - there isn’t even enough for people who don’t have any needs. […] This makes the work very difficult, and this has an impact on your own mental wellbeing - burn out is a high risk.’’
The plans to support the workforce hit just the right tone, both in terms of making systems easier for them to navigate but also recognising their dedication and vocation, through investment in their personal and professional development.
The agenda that has been set out by the plan is ambitious and of course it needs to be. Halving rough sleeping alone is a seismic task that will take the multi-disciplinary and multi- departmental effort the plan describes. It will be down to us all to use our passion, commitment and expertise to make progress.
For our part at Phoenix, we will continue to find ways to bring together our expertise in substance use treatment, homelessness and housing to provide support to people furthest away from services, by
- Creating more access to specialist residential drug treatment for opiate users who are street homeless, women with experience of trauma and gender-based violence and people with co-occurring mental health needs
- Working alongside other professionals to provide more intensive support to people to help them access treatment, like our London Regional Homeless Engagement with Substance Use Treatment Team (RHEST)
- Creating more intensive supported housing services like our HoSTS service in Essex that supports people with multiple needs, designed to support people in maintaining their tenancy, establishing a permanent home, and overcoming any intersection issues that may be a barrier.
- Delivering our specialist Supported Housing services that help people maintain their substance use recovery gains and prevents recurring homelessness
These are all specialist and bespoke approaches, recognising the need to walk alongside people for as long as they need, with compassion and deep personal regard for all we serve.
That culture of the voluntary and community sector, working alongside our local government colleagues, together with the clear leadership and sustained targeted funding this plan promises, gives us a fighting chance of making a real difference to the lives of many people. Its down to us all now to hold each others feet to the fire.
