Symposium 2 - Passports to the PRS (Wed 28th Nov, 1-5pm)

The Issues

• a named contact at an intermediary agency who can act as a referee
• a statement that a proper needs assessment has been carried out
• confirmation that an assessment of eligibility for HB/LHA has been carried out and that it will be payable
• a vulnerability assessment (to passport into direct payment of HB/LHA) if appropriate
• a rent/deposit guarantee, where applicable
• a statement that tenancy sustainment backup will be delivered, and a contact name and number for the relevant service.

The point was made that many of these already exist for statutorily homeless households – the issue was how to extend them to people coming from the hostel sector.

The aim of this session was to look at:-

• Examples of good practice from Housing Options Teams, local authority empty property teams, homelessness sector intermediary projects, and Housing Benefit teams
• How close it is possible to get to the concept of a "passport", and what would need to change to make it widely available
• What can be done by intermediaries, homelessness agencies and Housing Options Teams prior to the point of referral (both for people in hostels and long-stay institutions)
• When passports "expire".

Potential outcomes

• Replicable examples of good practice, including creative interpretations of regulations and statutory duties
• Identification of areas where changes in/clarification of regulations might be beneficial and achievable
• Feasibility study and pilot scheme.

• Sub-regional housing coordinators
• Managers of Housing Options and Housing Benefit teams
• Voluntary sector intermediary projects
• Landlords and landlord groups
• CLG and DWP
• London Councils
• Homelessness agencies