The Facts

Homelessness

The number of people becoming homeless in England between October and December 2005 was 27% lower than the same period the previous year, and the lowest number in the same period since 1985.
This continues a downward trend which started in 2003. In addition, the number of households in temporary accommodation has fallen below 100,000 for the first time since 2004, and the number of people sleeping rough on our streets has fallen to a record low.

Homeless in Shepway - The Facts

Between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2008, Sheway Housing Options team completed 173 homeless applications of these 81 were accepted as homeless.
There have been significant reductions in the number of applications and the number of acceptances over last few years. However, at 4.4/1000 population applications are still slightly above the regional average (3.7/1000). Further reductions are anticipated through:

• Family mediation scheme
• Sanctuary scheme for victims of domestic violence
• Rent deposit bond scheme
• Home visits
• Frontline prevention fund
• Training
• Raising awareness

The primary cause of homelessness within the Shepway District is due to relationship breakdown whether it is parent's family or friend no longer able to accommodate or breakdown of relationship with partner.
In Arpil 2005, the Housing Options team was established and the team have prevented 176 households from becoming homeless in the year 31st March 2006. The team have placed 76 households in the provate rented sector under the rent deposit scheme.

New Target

The Government has recently set a challenging new target: to halve the number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation by 2010. The basr for this calculation is 31.12.04 at which time Shepway District Council had 144 households living in temporary accommodation. The target to be achieved by 2010 is therefore 72. As at 30th September 2007 the number of households in temporary accommodation was 102.
The Department of Community and Local Government (DCLG) strategy document Sustainable Communities: Settled Homes; Changing Lives published in March 2005 outlines how the Office will achieve this target and further reductions in homelessness by:

• Encouraging homelessness prevention
• Supporting vulnerable people
• Tackling the wider causes and symptoms
• Helping more people to move away from rough sleeping
• Providing more settled homes

If you, or someone you know is about to lose their home or are threatened with homelessness you can obtain advice and help from the Housing Options team on 01303 853700 or alternatively call into Shepway Housing Centre, 3-5 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone between Mondays to Friday 0830am-1700pm. The advisors will carry out enquiries to see whether we can help you under the homelessness legislation. Once the enquiries have been completed the council will make a descision and let you know. If you disagree with the decision you can ask us to review this.

In addition you might find useful information on these websites

http://www.shelter.org.uk/

If you require advice in different languages, the Multikulti website currently provides information in 10 community languages covering 8 subject headings. including advice about applying as homeless, domestic violence and finding private rented accommodation. This can be found:

http://www.multikulti.org.uk/

Homeless strategy