The Street Homelessness Prevention Team (SHPT) - Southampton

The Street Homelessness Prevention Team (SHPT) in Southampton supported a long term rough sleeper with complex needs find stable accommodation by adopting a persistent and personalised approach, which ensured a solution to Louise’ housing and support needs was found. They never gave up on Louise and continue to work with her as new challenges arise. 

To find out more about SHPT visit their website.

One woman's story
 

Louise was born in Killarney. Ireland in 1962, she was brought to England by her parents in her early childhood. The details of Louise’s life are very vague until she came to Southampton in 2000, all that is known is that prior to moving to Southampton she gave birth to her son  who was subsequently given up for adoption. She receives correspondence from her son once a year and this has huge significance for Louise. If this correspondence is late it affects her mood considerably.

By the time Louise arrived in Southampton she had developed heavy drink problem and was very familiar with living on the streets. The SHPT worked with Louse at the day centre and from 2000 – 2002 she spent time living in hostels and sleeping rough. Louise is a very private person and would become very angry towards staff if she felt they were interfering with her life. In 2002 Louise was given a flat by Swaything Housing Society. Louise was very happy about this and with support managed the tenancy reasonably well. In May 2002 Louise was abused by another tenant in the block and was therefore unable to continue living there. The Street Homelessness Prevention Team supported her to move in an English Churches projects to prevent her from becoming homeless again.
 

Repeated homelessness
 

Louise continued to find it difficult to live with other people, she found key working intrusive and was reluctant to pay her service charge on a regular basis. Louise owed rent arrears to Coventry City Council and was therefore unable to apply to Southampton for accommodation. However she continually told us that she wanted her own space and in 2003 she was allocated a bed sit by Two Saints. Unfortunately this tenancy also broke down as she found it difficult to pay the rent and ran into problems with her neighbour.
Louise, ended up living on the streets again for a short period of time.  In May 2005, Louise moved into a house for chronic heavy drinkers, agreeing to allow staff to manage her money.  Louise was beginning to settle into the project, working with staff around her drinking.  Unfortunately another resident in the project passed away and Louise felt she could no longer stay at the property.  Louise, once again returned to the Streets. 
 

The solution for Louise – a private rented flat managed by SHPT

 In December 2006, a private landlord who understood the complex needs of our client group, was willing to rent Louise a flat on the condition she accepted regular support from the SHPT.  After Louise met the landlord and agreed to support she moved into a self-contained flat in January 2007. Louise gave written consent for the team to hold a key to the property as she had lost her key to other projects in the past. 

A individualised approach – listening to the clients needs and coming up with solutions

We talked at length about what Louise wanted in the property.  She decided she just wanted a bed, sofa, microwave and fridge.  We did not get her anything extra because we wanted Louise to have control of the decisions that affected her tenancy.  Louise was clear she did not want a cooker because she felt this would potentially dangerous if she tried to cook whilst under the influence of alcohol.
 

On going intensive support

The SHPT visited Louise on a regular basis to ensure the property was safe and secure.  They worked with her to ensure she always had enough money on her electric meter to be able to heat the flat and have hot water.  They also monitored her housing benefit and Income support on a regular basis. When Louise moved into the property there was carpet in each room.  Unfortunately, the carpet became damaged very quickly, from alcohol spillage and Louise experiencing continence difficulties.  The lounge was at the opposite end of the flat to the bathroom and Louise struggled to get to the toilet in time.  We came up with the idea of putting a bucket in the lounge in case she was caught short.  We negotiated with the landlord and had the carpets replaced with lino which was much easier for Louise to maintain.

Taking on more responsibility with continual flexible and responsive support

The SHPT continue to visit Louise on a regular basis as agreed with the landlord.  Louise settled well in the property and within time took more responsibility for looking after it, however she continues to recieve support from SHPT, but she is significantly more settled.

 “Over time our relationship has gone up and down.  At times Louise has not wanted anyone from our team going into the property.  When this has happened we have kept the landlord informed and he has been happy to liaise with Louise directly on occasion.  Louise has now been living in the property for three years and continues to manage it well with support at arms length.  Louise knows we do not want to interfere with her tenancy but we are available to give her support when ever she feels she needs it." (Complex case worker)