National Homelessness Advice Service Programme Vicky Hines Partnership

National Homelessness Advice Service Programme Vicky Hines – Partnership Manager

NHAS background • Repossessions 80 s/90 s – Government concerns re advice provided • Service running for over 22 yrs • NHAS Partnership – Shelter and Citizens Advice • DCLG Funded - Free services and resources • Audiences – LAs, CABx and Voluntary Agencies

NHAS programme – free services and resources • Consultancy Line • Training • Housing debt casework (inc second tier) • Online and best practice resources

Consultancy Line – 9 am to 8 pm Mon to Fri (plus email access) • Extended opening time • Advisors – Access to Legal team support • Averaging 1100 calls per mth and 50 emails [to phone back] • 87% cases homeless prevention or positive outcome • 70% LA used, 59% CAB, 52% OVAs plus 54 SSDs • 95% COA 3 days, high good or excellent rating, more confident • Top Queries – eligibility, homelessness, s 21 notices

Training • Full day - Face to face courses • Half day/Briefing sessions – Face to face courses • Webinars • Bitesize programme • Trainer’s discussion forum

Training - courses • • • Advising and Assisting Non-Priority Homeless Clients Basic Mortgage Debt Advice for Local Authority Staff Housing Advice for Housing Options Staff Persons from Abroad and Housing Options Relationship Breakdown, Domestic Violence and Homelessness Prevention • Welfare Reform for Occupiers in Rented Accommodation • Young People: Homelessness and Housing Options

Training - Webinars • Assured Shorthold Tenancies: Section 21 Notices – an overview • S 21 s notices – new tenancies post 1 st Oct 2015 • Non Priority Clients: Assistance and Prevention – What’s happening in your area? • Persons from Abroad and changes to benefit entitlement • Preventing Mortgage Repossessions • Spare Room Subsidy • Advice on Tenancy Deposits • Vulnerability • Right to Rent

Housing Debt Casework inc second tier and welfare benefit • Access to the service is made via the Consultancy Line • Mortgage debt cases from early stage arrears to possession and warrant stage • Welfare benefit cases, where the welfare benefit issue impacts on housing affordability • Some rent arrears cases • 2 nd tier support and case work • Email – hdc@shelter. org. uk

Online and best practice • • E Bulletins Housing Matters updates on website eg Legal updates Improving Outcomes for Young People & NHAS website • Links into wider Shelter • Local Practice