Young Adult Carers' Housing Needs Still Overlooked

The housing needs of young adult carers are still being overlooked, according to a review by education and training think-tank the Learning & Work Institute. The institute warns that "unsustainable caring arrangements and breakdowns in family relationships" combined with a general shortage of housing options means some young adult carers are living in situations "which have a serious impact on their physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing".  Despite this, "young adult carers do not appear to be recognised as a group requiring specific housing-related support," the policy review concludes. There is also no specific data on the extent of homelessness among the group. Read more on the Children & Young People Now website.

https://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/2007132/young-adult-carers-housing-needs-still-overlooked

Partnership Praised For Joined-Up Approach To Reducing Homelessness

A partnership between the NHS and Peabody has been praised by London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for its joined-up approach to reducing homelessness and preventing repeated readmissions to hospital. The Peabody run service works to ensure homeless people who are medically fit to be discharged from hospital don’t go back onto the streets, providing short-term accommodation and ongoing wide-ranging support. As well as helping people after a crisis, protecting them from harm and boosting wellbeing, the service also works to free up hospital bed spaces, reduces pressure on wards and saves the NHS money through reduced readmissions. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/partnership-praised-for-joined-up-approach-to-reducing-homelessness/

New Tech To Test Air Quality In Council Homes

Two councils are taking part in research as to how technology could be used in council properties to improve indoor environmental conditions and air quality. The aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of council tenants, and provide councils with real-time information to assist with property management and the provision of better quality accommodation. Led by Leeds City Council and the City of York Council, the project is part of the GovTech Catalyst programme, which enables public sector bodies to harness new and emerging technologies. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/new-tech-to-test-air-quality-in-council-homes/

Britain’s Rural Housing Crisis

There is a major housing crisis in rural England. Allowing people to live close to where they work is critical in rural areas, where public transport links are often poor or non-existent. Without access to housing – especially housing suitable for younger people – rural businesses will struggle to attract quality employees. The crisis holds back economic development, as well as community well-being. Traditionally council houses and housing associations have provided affordable housing. But in villages of fewer than 3,000 people these now represent only 8 per cent of the housing stock (compared to around 20 per cent in urban areas). It is vital that this stock of houses is protected – and the government’s proposed extension of Right to Buy places them at serious risk. Read more on the City Metric website.

Is Housing And Employment Support A Natural Partnership?

In recent years, supporting residents to prepare for and find work has been an increasing priority for government and landlords. However, there is relatively little current analysis of the characteristics of residents, the barriers that they face and ‘what works’ in supporting them. Our recent report, ‘Worklessness, Welfare and Social Housing’ seeks to address these gaps. It proposes a new partnership between government and housing associations to support disadvantaged residents to prepare for and find work. It highlights how housing associations are uniquely placed to provide employment support to those living within their homes and communities. They have a long term interest in the wellbeing of their residents and have strong social and business drivers which support moving tenants into the security and dignity of work. Housing associations are also major employers in their own right, with established supply chains which can provide further employment opportunities. Read more on the ERSA website.

Social Housing Tenant Survey Results 'Deeply Worrying'

The results of a social housing tenant survey have been described as "deeply disturbing", with residents caught in a spiral of poverty which is affecting their health and wellbeing. Quids in! magazine's poll found that social housing tenants' access to mainstream financial products has fallen "alarmingly" in the last two years. And large numbers of tenants are still digitally excluded with no access to the internet at home or at work, while almost half of working age readers report having had their benefits cut in the last two years. Read more on the Quids In! website.

Study to Reveal 'Human Impact' Of Welfare Reforms

The human impact of the government's welfare reforms is to be revealed in a major study of households across the north of England. Seven social housing providers have joined forces to investigate how changes to the benefits system affect people’s health, housing, wellbeing, finances, education and employment prospects. More than 70 households will take part in the research.  It is hoped the findings will allow the participating landlords to better understand the impact on their customers of sweeping reforms – ranging from the bedroom tax to changes to Jobseeker’s Allowance. The landlords – who will each work intensively with around 10 households for at least 18 months – also hope the 'Real Life Reform' research will provide information to shape their own policies, influence decision-making and inform national policy-makers.  Read more on 24dash.

Needs Of Young Homeless Must Be Recognised

A charity is calling on strategic health bodies to ensure there are joined up services for young homeless people that recognise their complex needs.

Youth homelessness charity Depaul UK and biopharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca have published guidance to improve the health of young homeless people. It is addressed to health and wellbeing boards, which take up statutory functions to improve health services in local communities this month.  The guidance says the boards have an important role in ensuring services for young homeless people are integrated, ‘in particular joining up areas such as social care, transport, leisure planning and housing’.  Download a copy of the report from the Depaul UK website.