CIH Futures’ Post

A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) study has found that over a 10 year period, 12,525 people died within a year of seeking homelessness help. The median age of these deaths was just 49. It's important to remember also that this number does not capture all deaths connected to homelessness - just those occurring within the first year of someone seeking homelessness support. A Guardian Australia investigation earlier this year found people experiencing homelessness in Australia had an average life expectancy of just 44. It's an important reminder that Victorians' lives depend on the provision of adequate social housing and wraparound supports. “We have a responsibility as a society to value lives more highly than this," said CHP's Chief Executive Office Deborah Di Natale. “The Victorian Government must take decisive action to break this devastating cycle. As a starting point, all deaths of people experiencing homelessness should have to be referred to the coroner. The Attorney-General has the power to make this change with the stroke of a pen.” #endhomelessness #socialhousing #housingendshomelessness Read more: https://lnkd.in/gds-cMZC

Crisis - “Planning policy should play its part in ending homelessness Let's take this opportunity to get the detail right when the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is reformed. After years in which the number of new social rent homes built in England has been in the doldrums, it was incredibly welcome to hear the new Secretary of State set out her stall for this Autumn’s spending review. Angela Rayner used a Labour Party Conference panel event to highlight that a major package for social housebuilding is key to delivering on the Government’s ‘moral mission’, expressing her hope that the spending review will include funding to deliver more ‘desperately needed’ social housing.” #ukhousing #housebuilding #socialhousing #affordablehousing #urbanplanning https://lnkd.in/eHKscanr

It is Friday and time for our round-up of all things #UKHousing from this week including all the latest policy, news, and events you need to know 🏘️ 📰 ◾The National Audit Office (NAO) published a report on govt effectiveness in tackling homelessness, highlighting the need for a long-term plan ➡️https://ow.ly/e9QS50SKjaA ◾Housing expert Kate Barker has put forward interim recommendations to govt on housing reform, saying the situation has worsened since her first report 20 years ago ➡️https://ow.ly/vGLG50SKjak ◾With the new Govt embarking on major planning reforms, central London boroughs have set out changes needed to unlock housing and boost growth ➡️https://ow.ly/IMFc50SKjaw ◾National House Building Council says housebuilding volumes must double if the Govt is to meet 1.5m homes target ➡️https://ow.ly/oMBs50SKjaz ◾Govt has launched a Skills England initiative ➡️https://ow.ly/gTJ450SKjah ◾Tribunal judge rules that structural defects do not fall under repairs and maintenance ➡️https://ow.ly/54qj50SKjas ◾The APPG on Housing and Care for older people has published its latest HAPPI report, into the regeneration of outdated sheltered housing ➡️https://ow.ly/OnJS50SKjax ◾The National Police Chiefs’ Council released a statement concerning violence against women and girls (VWAG), highlighting the urgency of action to tackle domestic abuse ➡️https://ow.ly/CxpC50SKjan Women’s aid report highlights significant challenges ➡️https://ow.ly/9gb250SKjal ◾Seminal book ‘The Spirit Level’ has updated its research on economic injustice 15 years on ➡️https://ow.ly/x4ap50SKjao ◾Applications for Welsh Govt’s single advice fund grant are now open. The grant is to help meet increased demand for access to social welfare advice services ➡️https://ow.ly/G3mR50SKjam ◾Data on housebuilding in Wales for 2023/24 has been published. There were 5,161 new dwellings started and 4,756 completed. Of those completed, 78% were in the private sector ➡️https://ow.ly/YJI450SKjag ◾Welsh Govt has published its latest temporary accommodation data. In May 2024 there were 11,591 individuals in temporary accommodation and 157 people sleeping rough ➡️https://ow.ly/n1YJ50SKjaq ◾CIH Northern Ireland has responded to the Department for Communities' 2024-25 budget Equality Impact Assessment, highlighting concerns and recommendations to ensure equitable resource allocation ➡️https://ow.ly/oFTZ50SKjav ◾A working group established by the Scottish Govt has published recommendations on the use of temporary and supported housing ➡️https://ow.ly/s87A50SKjau ◾Julie Haydon won the CIH vice presidential election, and will become vp at the AGM in October➡️https://ow.ly/WLkk50SKjaj

🔔 Mayor of Newham Calls for Urgent Government Action 🔔 With local councils across the country facing inadequate government funding, leaving them unable to address housing challenges, the climate emergency or poverty alleviation, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, representing the London Borough of Newham, leads the charge for crucial policy reforms. In her latest op-ed she details how and where urgent policy reforms are needed to tackle critical challenges in her borough. From a £60 million funding shortfall risking essential services to a dire shortage of social rent homes exacerbating homelessness, to an absence of a Community Wealth Building Model to tackle inequality post COVID-19, decisive government action is imperative. Read her op-ed here for deeper insights: https://lnkd.in/g7JzhcEi #PolicyReform #LocalGovernment #HousingPolicy #ClimateAction #CommunityWealthBuilding #Newham #UKPolitics #UKGovernment #PoliticsUK #GovernmentUK

Katie Smart, Director of Places for People Scotland, has written an open letter to the new First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, with a simple message: the time for talking is over, it’s time to build homes. “Somewhere to call home is everyone’s right – let’s make that more than a vision. It’s time to build.”    The letter highlights areas where a plan of action is needed urgently.    “There are 32,000 people in Scotland currently homeless with almost 10,000 children without a permanent home and the number of families in temporary accommodation is at its highest ever level and getting worse.”    That isn’t to say there aren’t some signs of progress, but there’s concern they don’t go far enough.    “I’m pleased to see new policies introduced by The Scottish Government in its Housing Bill launched on 26 March to address homelessness. It was also welcome to hear in April, The Scottish Government’s announcement of £80million in funding over two years to buy empty properties for social housing. However, these measures alone will not solve the issue and it was a major blow to the sector in February when a £196m cut in funding for affordable housing was agreed by The Scottish Government.    “The harsh reality is that in Scotland alone, there are 110,000 households on the waiting list for social housing. The list is continuing to grow, with more people priced out of private rented accommodation because demand is huge.“    On how we support Communities that face these issues Katie explains:     “Our social housing Customers, like others across the country, face huge pressures to meet their living needs and deal with complex issues. So, we support Customers where there are no longer services or funding available from other areas of the welfare system, like writing off rent arrears, food and fuel vouchers, access to foodbanks, money and fuel advice, domestic abuse, furniture, support with digital access, employment, training, and wellbeing.”    As for what needs to happen to make a real difference...    “We simply must build homes now.”       Read the full letter to learn more about the benefits of a collaborative approach to solving our current housing emergency: https://lnkd.in/e5e-3c_h    #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #UKHousing  

🏡 Transforming Supported Housing in Scotland: Key Insights from the 2024 Task and Finish Group Report 🏡   Today, the Supported Housing Task and Finish Group released their report addressing the future of supported housing in Scotland. Here's what you need to know:   🔹 Background: Since 2018, Rapid Rehousing has driven homelessness policy, sparking a review of supported housing's role alongside health and social care.   🔹 Challenges: Post-COVID impacts, a housing emergency, and rising living costs have led to increased homelessness and more households in temporary accommodation.   🔹 Learnings: Small-scale supported housing and Housing First initiatives highlight the need for self-contained homes with optional shared spaces.   🔹 Current State: Most supported housing is owned by local authorities or RSLs, with third-sector support. Significant refurbishments are needed to meet optimal standards.   🔹 Funding Issues: Complex funding creates high rents, barriers to employment, and precarious situations for providers.   🔹 Future Vision: Supported housing should offer secure, self-contained homes integrated into the community, with robust support and security of tenure.   Read the summary report at https://lnkd.in/dm8sZ9mU 🏠   #SupportedHousing #Homelessness #HousingPolicy #Scotland #CommunitySupport #RapidRehousing 

"California has spent more than $20 billion over the past five years to help people get off the streets, but homelessness has continued to rise — jumping by 6% in 2023 to more than 180,000 people. California has been the state with the largest homeless population for more than a decade, according to the latest federal data." How can you NOT monitor $20 billion of somebody ELSE'S money? And what type of legislation does NOT require such monitoring... However, I bet you that the SALARIES paid in those agencies and through those programs, are NOT minimum wage... Ever so close to becoming Argentina pre-Milei. https://lnkd.in/gy-KCD6R

Proposed plans to prioritise UK citizens in social housing allocation raise alarms about potential homelessness. While aiming to address domestic housing needs, experts caution that these schemes may unintentionally worsen homelessness issues. The proposed changes, part of immigration policy discussions, spark controversy as critics fear limiting resources could exacerbate existing problems. The proposed legislation suggests prioritising UK nationals for social housing to address housing shortages and ensure timely access for residents. Supporters argue it fosters local stability, but critics fear unintended consequences, especially for vulnerable populations. As the debate continues, experts stress the importance of a balanced approach that ensures stable housing for all while avoiding unintentional consequences. Advocating for empathy, vision, and comprehensive societal solutions remains crucial in addressing this complex issue. Read more about a proposed priority for UK citizens in social housing allocation that raises concerns about increased homelessness, on the link below: https://rpb.li/uGdLe #SocialHousing #HomelessnessConcerns #UKHousingDebate

London’s Temporary Accommodation crisis is a complex problem, but it’s not insurmountable. In our latest article, we outline potential solutions—from increasing affordable housing to reforming homelessness prevention strategies. Read the full article to discover how we can work together to create lasting change: https://bit.ly/3BeVadB #HousingSolutions #LondonCrisis #AffordableHomes #PublicPolicy #TemporaryAccommodation

Today the homelessness statistics from January to March 2024 were published. These show a continuing trend of increasing homelessness and a rise in the number of children living in temporary accommodation. We highlighted these issues in our recent report on Homelessness. You can find out more in the post below and at https://lnkd.in/eYt9iMN2