Norfolk Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2022 – 2025
Following a consultation with partners and forum members, it has been agreed the Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership (NSHP) will not continue beyond April 2025.
However, there is consensus that the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum should continue; pending the reorganisation of local authority structures (to achieve unitary status) and the establishment of the new Combined Mayoral county structures. Forum members are keen to continue to facilitate a ‘community of practice’ supporting a multi agency/solutions focused approach to homelessness in Norfolk and provide support and guidance to organisations who plan adopt the Norfolk homelessness charter.
A new governance structure for the forum is being considered and ongoing funding to enable the forum to operate will need to be obtained.
We would like to thank all those actively involved in the NSHP and the NHSF since 2022; for their support and commitment to the Norfolk Homelessness Prevention Strategy and we are pleased to provide an overview of the work which was undertaken to deliver the four priority areas of the Strategy
No Homelessness in Norfolk – Resetting the system a partnership approach – report launched 2022
A detailed overview of rough sleeping, Covid impacts, Everyone In & the case for investing in relieving and preventing homelessness.
- Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership (NSHP) Membership proposed; made up of Local Authorities, Children and NCC Young People and Adult Services, CCG, Public Health, Police and Registered Providers.
- The Partnership would report directly into the Norfolk Chief Executives Group.
- A multi agency consultation took place to develop a county wide Homelessness Prevention Strategy (2022 to 2025) and the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum (NHSF) was launched (chaired by Shelter).
- The Norfolk Homelessness Charter was co produced and launched.
Key achievements – Norfolk Homelessness
Prevention Strategy up to March 2024
- Completed a self-assessment of prevention services.
- Developed a homelessness data dashboard with Norfolk Office of Data Analytics, providing a picture of homelessness in Norfolk up to March 2023.
- Researched Private Rented Sector solutions
- Commissioned Groundswell to coproduce local involvement plans and a report on Norfolk co production.
- Researched “Bridging the Gap” solutions and submitted case studies to Crisis to lobby central government.
- Funded Mancroft Advice Project to deliver employment support to young people and intergenerational mediation pilot.
- Updated Mental Health Discharge Protocol
Partnership working enabled funding to deliver:
Accommodation for Ex Offenders (AFEO) scheme – Norfolk wide the scheme has helped to accommodate more than 150 offenders in PRS
RISE in Great Yarmouth – providing wrap around support for rough sleepers via a multi agency approach – the scheme has helped 24 people into accommodation and prevented the loss of accommodation for 12 people at risk of rough sleeping.
Norfolk Homelessness Prevention Strategy – summary of activity undertaken 2024/25
Priority One
Priority One – Reduce homelessness by refocussing on homelessness prevention services:
- Prototype homelessness prediction dashboard developed (Norfolk Office of Data Analytics and Kings Lynn and West Norfolk ) funded by the Local Government Association Housing Advisors Programme. Dashboard outputs can be used to: Inform upstream prevention work, target certain groups, inform members and senior management of trends and influence future policy.
- Homelessness prediction dashboard provides an evidence base for predicting and preventing homelessness and supports:
- Strategic planning to predict future number of rough sleepers,
- Combining national and local datasets, Housing Advice and Housing Register data to provide detail on those at risk of homelessness.
- Identification of key characteristics/indicators amongst those at risk of becoming homeless.
- Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government HClick data for Norfolk collated and disseminated to the Norfolk Homelessness Solution Forum (NHSF) members.
- Delivered a series of best practice workshops – topics included: early access to advice/proactive prevention, single person homelessness solutions, solutions for asylum seekers/PFA/NRPF, mediation and family breakdown, accommodation sustainment – 144 people attended the online sessions.
- Delivered a county wide event focusing on the role of the Private Rented Sector in providing housing solutions. Attended by 60 private sector landlords, private rented sector investors and agents, each district local authority and representatives from agencies working with private landlords. Content included an update on the proposed Renters Rights Bill and examples of good practice in partnership and collaborative working between local authorities and private landlords; with speakers from Norwich City Council Let NCC, the Sustainable Housing Partnership Service, South Norfolk and Broadland District homelessness prevention and rough sleeping coordinators and representatives from The Housing Network and the Norfolk Accommodation for Ex offenders (who are working with PRS landlords to secure accommodation for offenders and those being discharged from prison).
- Worked with Supported Housing providers, local authorities and some landlords to enable move on from supported housing.
- Provided some support to Norfolk County to explore the Return on Investment in the continuation of Sanctuary Schemes.
- Shared Resonance funding programme details (funding for Temporary Accommodation move on accommodation) with district colleagues.
- Developed a Temporary Accommodation; Statement of Expectations on behalf of the district authorities – providing guidance on accommodation and management standards;
the guidance can be adopted by district authorities, to inform their procurement of Temporary Accommodation.
Priority Two
Priority Two – Improve access to homelessness support services across Norfolk:
- Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum Community of Practice via bi monthly meetings – sharing best practice- a themed approach such as; tenancy sustainment services, substance misuse services, Norfolk County proposed changes to Housing Related Support and Homelessness services funding consultation, Women’s Rough Sleeping Census initial findings (Norwich), working with those with more complex needs and working with those in the criminal justice system.
- Worked with Homeless Link and two local authorities to explore feasibility of adopting the MEAM approach (Making Every Adult
Matter). Norfolk MEAM designated area already in Norwich. Authorities decided resources not available to proceed, but agreed to
build on the learning from MEAM in Norwich (Norwich Navigator at Pathways team). - Kept a watching brief on the Supported Housing Oversight and Regulations Act and provided updates on the MHCLG
consultation on standards. - Norfolk Safeguarding Board independent member provided an update to the forum on a strategic approach to safeguarding
where homelessness is an issue - Provided input on the development of a county wide Information Sharing Agreement between districts and housing providers;
where risks are identified when someone is accommodated in social housing. - Hosted a consultation with forum members on the NHS Ten year plan/‘3 shifts’ – and collated feedback to NHS.
- Provided an overview of the work of NSHP/NHSF to Homes for Cathy – seeking support for future of the forum beyond April 2025 to
run alongside wider changes which may come into effect as part of the Local Government Review and Mayoral Combined Authority.
Priority Three
Priority Three – Continue to develop person centred services with a focus on co production:
- Lived Experience engagement plan included a focus on seeking feedback on the Norfolk Homelessness Charter and living in Temporary Accommodation.
- Worked with the Shelter Lived Experience Advisory group to co produce questions to seek feedback from those living in temporary accommodation and developed a TA feedback resource pack.
- Tested the Temporary Accommodation feedback resource pack via the Magdalene project, Together, Shelter Lived Experience group and Broadland Housing Association – collated and fedback key findings to Shelter Lived Experience Advisory Group, delegates at the Homes for Cathy event and districts.
- Worked with Lived Experience advisory groups in Great Yarmouth and Norwich to Co produce questions in relation to the Norfolk Homelessness Charter – to seek feedback from service users about their experiences of using services who adopt the charter.
Priority Four
Priority Four: Continue to build partnership working to improve collaboration and whole system change:
- Provided updates via an NSHP web page – thanks to the Broadland Housing Association communications team.
- Relaunched the Norfolk Homelessness Charter to include a feedback process via the web page for those who wish to adopt
the charter. - Worked with Criminal Justice colleagues to explore barriers and challenges in relation to homelessness and accommodation
sustainment – including delivery of Duty to Refer workshops. - Developed relationships with Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Partnership to share strategic objectives to facilitate joint working.
- Developed links to wider strategic groups and public sector leaders within Norfolk, to consider the future of the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum in an environment where local authorities not longer wish to fund the forum.
- Consulted NHSF members on the future of the forum; feeding learning back to the Inclusion Health Group & Homes for Cathy.
- Developed relationships with Inclusion Health/Integrated Care System to consider future work in relation to health inequalities and
homelessness – seeking to develop a future governance structure linking to Living and Working Conditions Group. - Monitored emerging government policy in relation to homelessness and housing need and provided information to the NHSF – shared government consultation details; such as Supported Housing Regulation and Oversight and Combined Mayoral Authority consultations.
A summary of outcomes from the activities undertaken in relation to the Norfolk Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2024/25:
Priority One – Reduce homelessness by refocusing on homelessness prevention services
- Development of a prototype homelessness dashboard to help predict homelessness.
- Sharing of homelessness prevention practice across agencies and enabling an understanding of how statutory services operate (where they may impact on homelessness).
- Developing relationships between districts, agencies and PRS landlords to increase access to housing.
- Supporting relationships to facilitate move on from supported housing.
- Facilitating the voice of those living in Temporary Accommodation to share their experiences.
- Developing relationships with wider strategic colleagues such as the Integrated Care Partnership.
Priority Two – Improve access to homelessness support services across Norfolk
- Developed a community of practice via the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum (NHSF)
- Educated forum members on specific topics in relation to housing and homelessness
- Assessed systems which can help to alleviate homelessness
- Fed into the NHS 10 year plan consultation process
Priority Three – Continue to develop person centred services with a focus on co production
- Co-produced materials to develop an understanding of the impact of services on people experiencing homelessness to elevate the voices of those using services.
- Developed online communications channels to highlight the work of the NHSF/NSHP and the prevention strategy.
- Contributed to the consultation process for the proposed HRS changes – taking into account a user perspective (as provided by the lived experience group).
Priority Four – Continue to build partnership working to improve collaboration and whole system change
- Highlighted the work of Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership & the Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum to wider audiences.
- Communicated actions taken to support the homelessness prevention strategy to other strategic groups across the county.
- Relaunched the Norfolk Homelessness Charter