Passing on the HAT to the TSA

The work of the Homelessness Action Team (HAT) has ended on a high note, with some significant achievements under its belt, according to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), which will adopt the mantel of its work.

Established three years ago, the HAT was a joint project with the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG) and the TSA, and it has worked to raise the profile of homelessness prevention by working with local authorities in London and housing associations across England.

The HAT’s work with social landlords will now be carried on through the TSA’s new regulatory framework, in particular through the Tenancy and Local Area Co-operation Standards, and through the TSA’s developing good practice role.

“The team has contributed to the fall in number of households in temporary accommodation,” a spokesperson said. “The number of homeless households in temporary accommodation in London fell from 56,740 in December 2007 to 41,190 in December 2009 – a reduction of over 25 per cent. Due to good prevention services, there has also been a marked reduction in housing association evictions during the period.”

Key to the team’s approach was the recognition of building effective partnerships to jointly identify the range of local housing needs and joint actions required. The team has worked with all London boroughs, over 200 housing associations, and a number of local authorities across England and has complemented the work of CLG’s Regional Resource Team by helping local authorities to work better with their local social landlords.

Key HAT achievements also include:
•Encouraging housing associations in developing a homelessness strategy, driving forward their approach to preventing and tackling homelessness
•Encouraging landlords to consider issues arising from ‘the downturn’, including guides around repossessions
•Collecting improved data on levels of overcrowding and under-occupation
•A pilot to address illegal occupation, which has led to all the temporary accommodation in London being subject to a National Fraud Initiative check to assess the level of illegal occupation
•Contribution to a pilot to improve movement from hostels to the private rented sector
•Working with local authorities in London to help reduce temporary accommodation – work which looks likely to play a major contribution in the 2010 temporary accommodation target being achieved ahead of schedule for England.

Peter Marsh, the TSA’s chief executive said: “The Homelessness Action Team has made a real and positive difference – helping reduce incidents of homelessness, forging new relationships between local authorities and housing associations and sharing good practice.”

Terrie Alafat, director, Housing Growth, Markets and Strategy, at the DCLG added: “Homelessness is not just about specialist services for people who are homeless. Of greater importance are the good housing management services that prevent homelessness, helping people to successfully live in the right home for them and joining up services to they all work together to prevent homelessness and to deal with it when it occurs. The Homelessness Action Team has demonstrated that everyone working in housing organisations can contribute to tackling homelessness.”

A new TSA lead on homelessness and allocations, and a continued CLG specialist advisor role working with local authorities in London, will continue to safeguard the legacy of the team’s work.