584 Referrals Refused in 2010
521 Referrals Refused Each Year For The Last 8 Years
Virtually every morning the office of Chris Foster House receives one or more calls from agencies desperate to find a bed for a homeless client. More often than not we have to inform them that we have no vacancies. For many of the clients refused this means a night of homelessness. Over the last 8 years we have had 521 Referrals from other agencies EACH YEAR which we have had to refuse, most because Chris Foster House was full. Occupancy at the emergency hostel has been on average 97% over this 8 year period.
Who we housed
In 2010, 49 residents moved on from the hostel, with just over one third being 25 and under and just under two thirds being over 25. 41 residents were men (83.7%) and 8 were women (16.3%). 58.3% of residents were referred by local authorities, mainly Stevenage Borough Council, 14.6% from both health agencies and voluntary sector agencies, and 8.3% were referred from Probation related services. Nearly 46% of residents became homeless due to relationship breakdown of some kind. At least 1 in 3 residents arrived with specific support needs.
14.6% of residents stated that they slept rough on the night before admission.
Support Needs
Homelessness has many and varied causes. We are seeing increasing evidence of diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health problems, and also of alcohol and drug problems. In 2010 on entry to the hostel the following resident support needs had been identified by the referral agency: 10.4% with mental health problems, 16.7% with alcohol misuse, 20.8% with drug problems, and 8.3% of residents having multiple issues. Responding to these varied and complex needs we have an in-house counselling service, a number of support groups, alternative therapies and comprehensive personalised support plans for all residents.
Resettlement
Chris Foster House provides an opportunity for homeless people to begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Given that so many clients are living chaotic lives it is inevitable that a significant proportion will either disappear or have to be asked to leave. However there has been an improving level of planned move on since Day Services started in 2004 with planned move on rates for residents as follows: 53.2% in 2004; 57% in 2005; 66.7% in 2006: 61% in 2007 , 68.8% in 2008; 78.3% in 2009 and 83.7% in 2010. Planned move on can be to Council or RSL secure tenancies, specialist supported housing providers, private rented accommodation or returning to live with their families.
83.7% of clients left in a planned way in 2010
The employment of our Secure and Settled Floating Support Worker in 2007 allowed Stevenage Haven to provide a floating support service to those residents who have moved on in a planned way. In 2009 we were granted a 3 year Supporting People contract which allowed us to employ a second floating support worker. Clients can now be supported in the community ensuring that they do not get isolated and have the help they need when they encounter problems. In this way we can help to secure client's tenancies and avoid repeat homelessness.
Gaps in Provision
Stevenage Haven has identified a number of significant gaps in local supported housing provision. Whilst there are a number of projects for young homeless people within the Town (although these are usually full), Chris Foster House is the only homelessness project catering for the over 25 year olds. Working in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council, Haven 2 was opened in October 2005 which is our first supported move on accommodation for over 25's providing for 4 people who each have their own bedroom and share kitchen and bathroom facilities. Havens 3-6 opened in 2008 which provide 4 self contained one bedroom flats or bed-sits accommodation for those in full time education, employment or training. Working in partnership with North Herts Homes, the Annexe opened in January 2009 providing a 5 bedroom flat with shared lounge, kitchen/diner and bathroom although this ceased to provide accommodation early in 2011 due to pending redevelopment. Working in partnership with Stevenage Consolidated Charities, Springfields 1-4 were also opened in January 2009 providing four one bedroom cottages with lounge/kitchen and bathroom with a shared garden. Haven 7 which is a 3 bedroom shared house is due to come on line in second quarter of 2011.
There is insufficient supported housing in Stevenage for homeless men and women over 25.
Generally move on accommodation for all age groups is limited and this means that residents often stay longer than is advisable in the emergency hostel. Developing suitable second stage accommodation for all age groups is essential if we are to ensure Chris Foster House remains emergency accommodation and does not silt up. However even with Stevenage Haven's move on accommodation the length of stay at our emergency hostel is steadily increasing due to lack of appropriate move on accommodation and in 2010 the average stay increased from 95 days to 129 days - a worrying trend.
FOR DETAILED CHRIS FOSTER HOUSE STATISTICS FROM 2003 TO 2010 AND A VARIETY OF CHARTS PLEASE DOWNLOAD pdf FILE BELOW.