Housing-Related Floating Support Service - Appendix 1 - Alternatives considered

The five local housing authorities have stated that: “BHT Sussex are active within the local housing partnership and have supported service development within the sector, including new homelessness hubs. The local authorities have also been investing in additional homelessness prevention activity, including wellbeing and employability support and are keen to expand this further through grant funding opportunities. The local authorities would welcome an opportunity to work with partners to scope a cross-sector approach to homelessness prevention including providers and partners from across health, care and criminal justice, building on the good practice already underway with existing services.” The local housing authorities have therefore recommended an extension to the transition period, i.e. delaying the implementation of the savings proposal, for the floating support contract to enable systems partners to develop a cross-sector approach to homelessness prevention services.

Rother DC have commented that the proposed timetable for the budget reductions is too short for the system to respond effectively to the impact. In the time available it will be challenging for the system to come together to try and support with additional funding or make improvements to the system, to compensate for the loss of funding.  We are actively engaged with ESCC and BHT Sussex via the East Sussex Housing Partnership.  We feel confident that a great deal can be done to support the service with additional funds from elsewhere across the wider health, social care, housing and criminal justice systems.  The service offers excellent value for money in terms of the costs that can be avoided in expensive temporary accommodation costs.  We encourage ESCC to consider extending the transition period by an additional 6-12 months to enable the partnership to collaborate to minimise the impact on vulnerable people.

Other organisations have also requested the opportunity to work in partnership to consider changes to the service model and collaboration with other providers: “A new model should be sought prior to looking at potential cuts, so the funding fits the model identified not finding a service to fit the funding available. Changes to the existing service and an alternative model should be considered and costing provided” (Wealden CAB).

BHT Sussex who currently provide the service have suggested a reduction of £2 million (46% reduction) would enable 3,500 people to be supported based on the current commissioned service model. Further remodelling of the service could further increase the number of people supported and safeguard service quality and successful outcomes.