Taking a collective approach: reducing evictions and abandonments in Greater Norwich

In the summer of 2011, service providers and local authorities came together to discuss how to share learning and reduce the number of evictions and abandonments from supported accommodation.

This page maps the journey they are taking to achieving this aim.

Stage one: understanding the issues and what works (June 2011 - February 2012)


"I found the day very informative, and will use the information to enhance my delivery of supporting clients. Very well organised!" Delegate

Good practice event June 2011

On Friday 24 June 2011, 70 representatives from a range of providers and local authorities attended a good practice event in Norwich to share ideas. The programme of the event is as follows. Presentations can be viewed by clicking on the relevant title.

10.00 - 10.30 Registration and refreshments
10.30 - 10.45 Introduction and the importance of reducing evictions and abandonment - Chris Hancock, Housing Strategy Officer, and Cllr Brenda Arthur, Leader of Norwich City Council
10.45 - 11.15 Staying in: preventing evictions and abandonment research - Riad Akbur, Innovations Project Manager, Homeless Link
11.15 - 11.30 Local good practice - St. Martin's Housing Trust
11.30 - 11.45 Local good practice - Solo Housing
11.45 - 12.00 Break
12.00 - 12.50 Small group discussion workshops
12.50 - 13.30 Lunch and networking
13.30 - 14.00 Practical findings from 5 pilot projects - Joanne Crellen, Head of Innovation and Good Practice, Homeless Link
14.00 - 14.30 Local good practice - Hinde House
14.30 - 15.00 Panel session
14.00 - 15.15 Further tools and resources

Feedback


"Excellent seminar, well organised, good food, venue etc"
Delegate

Feedback from the event was very good, and included the following highlights:

  • 100% of delegates responding said it was a good opportunity to obtain information about reducing evictions and abandonment
  • 98% said it was good for learning about models of good practice 
  • 92% reported it was good for gaining new ideas.

Providers outlined specific changes they intend to make following the event, which include 

  • Merit based culture rather than punishment based   
  • Developing staff skills                                                                                   
  • Promoting prevention/choice                                                   
  • Implement new ways of managing tenancy issues     
  • Partnership working - supporting/advice role         
  • Improve arrears management with future housing providers
  • Inform the work going on to remodel support in hostel services                                             
  • New ideas for staff training and resident involvement      
  • Enhance the culture and methodology that we already use

The decision was taken to develop a protocol that will share standards and good practice across all accommodation providers.

Next steps

In February 2012, focus groups are planned with service users to listen to their experiences of eviction and abandonment and collect their ideas for the protocol.

Stage two: drafting the protocol (March 2012)

The protocol will be drafted using feedback from service users, provider and commissioners. It will go out to consultation for 12 weeks in mid-March. Consultation will include discussions at relevant housing and homelessness forums across Greater Norwich.

Stage three: implementing the protocol (July 2012)

The aim is to formally launch the protocol in July 2012. Providers will continue to use the resources provided in the evictions and abandonment toolkit.