West London Homelessness Group
The West London Homelessness sub-group consists of senior housing needs staff from all seven boroughs. Meeting every six weeks, their task is to move forward the homelessness work of the sub-region.
West London Homelessness Strategy Delivery Manager:
ieuan.aprees@rbkc.gov.uk, 0207 361 2829.
West London Homelessness Strategic Action Plan
An early achievement was the production of the
West London Homelessness Strategy 2005-08, which was the first of its kind, and has been an example to other sub-regions around the UK considering working together more closely on Homelessness. This has formed the basis of much of the work since then.
There is now an annual West London Homelessness Strategic Action Plan, which sets objectives and actions for the year.
West London Homelessness Strategic Action Plan 2012-13
West London Action Plan to End Rough Sleeping
In June 2010, the partnership held a conference to consult on an action plan to end rough sleeping by 2012. The action plan was fully reviewed, expanded and updated in May 2012. It is reviewed on a quarterly basis.
West London Rough Sleeping Action Plan updated October 2012
West London Single Homeless Approved List for Access to the Private Rented Sector
This scheme offers an incentive to approved providers to provide access to the private rented sector for single homeless people with low support needs. The scheme started on 18th December 2011 and an incentive of £200 was paid initially. After a review the incentive was increased in June 2012 to £250, for Registered Providers who charge rents above LHA, and £350, to providers who charge rents within LHA. The approved list is maintained by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
If you are a provider who is interested in joining the list, please contact ieuan.aprees@rbkc.gov.uk There is a simple questionnaire to complete and a simple evaluation to join the list. If you are a landlord with rooms or studios in an HMO to let, Ieuan can provide you with details of our approved providers who will be able to let your rooms for you. Providers offer different models, which include letting and facilitating the Housing Benefit claim and a full leasing model. Call Ieuan to discuss the options.
Provider specification
West London Reconnect
West London Reconnect is a service provided by Thames Reach. It focuses on outreach work with entrenched rough sleepers without recourse to public funds. Reconnection is offered and continues to be offered but, where a rough sleeper has failed to comply with EU treaty rights or obtain legal status, then removal is pursued, in partnership with UKBA, police and outreach teams.
West London Joint Minimum Standards for Temporary Accommodation and Leased Private Sector Accommodation
These have been agreed as minimum standards for any borough scheme (although they can be exceeded). The standards were reviewed and updated in March 2010.
West London Joint Minimum Standards
Joint Procurement of Temporary Accommodation
In July 2011, Brent appointed 17 contractors to its tendered Private Managed Accommodation framework (PMA). The contractors provide accommodation to prevent homelessness or meet the duty to provide temporary accommodation for five of the WLHP boroughs; Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Hillingdon and Kensington & Chelsea. Properties in the 5 boroughs are offered to the host borough first. Properties elsewhere are offered to all 5 boroughs on a first-come, first-served basis. This gives providers greater comfort that properties procured outside the sub-region will be let quickly.
This is a principle that may be used in future temporary accommodation tenders. The boroughs licence the properties from the contractors and take the rent risk. It is an attractive option for landlords.
If you are interested in providing accommodation for the scheme, contact ieuan.aprees@rbkc.gov.uk who can provide details of the contractors.
West London DV Reciprocals Agreement
This pioneering agreement between all the West London boroughs and a number of participating housing associations works to prevent council and housing association tenants escaping domestic violence from needing to become homeless and go into long term temporary accommodation.
It works by providing an agreed framework to facilitate cross borough or cross landlord management transfers for people approaching West London boroughs, who would otherwise have been accepted as homeless, and provides for a co-operative assessment of each case and provision of a reciprocal property when someone is housed by another landlord through the agreement.
The agreement was reviewed in April 2010.
West London DV RP flowchart
West London DV Borough flowchart
West London DV Reciprocals Agreement
West London Notify Health Check
The West London boroughs have set an example to other sub-regions by benchmarking their work implementing the Notify system to track placements of vulnerable people in Temporary Accommodation across London, and ensure they get the services they need from Social Services, Education and Health, as well as Housing Services. The West London Notify Health Check attempts to set a standard for boroughs in achieving this and encourages borough departments to work together in a joined up way.
West London Notify Health Check
Last updated: 15 October 2012