Hope Worldwide Two Step Programme

NIGHT-STOP ACCOMMODATION FOR NON-STATUTORY HOMELESS PEOPLE

Hope worldwide’s Two Step Programme, based in Islington, supports rough sleepers in London move away from the streets through immediate 'stopover' provision with volunteer hosts, and then support to move into private rented housing.

The scheme is open to single, non statutory priority homeless individuals but generally works best with over 25s. The service is regularly accessed by refugees who have become homeless after leaving NASS accommodation, or people who are recovering from substance misuse issues and are waiting to go into HOPE worldwide's rehabilitation programme, One Day At A Time. Referrals are received from local authorities, day centres and voluntary agencies across London. The project is funded by church and private donations, as well as some grants and funding from Westminster Council to work with rough sleepers from that area.
 
Stopover provision can only be accessed if there is a clear move-on path arranged into housing or residential treatment. Two Step supports clients to complete housing/treatment applications and to sign a code of conduct, which includes that they cannot be under the influence of drugs/alcohol when staying with a host family.
 
Volunteer host families undergo CRB checks and receive training on how to support their guests, but also on how to keep their family safe and avoid unnecessary risks. The coordinator of the programme visits the families and also tests the public transport route to each new hosts home to ensure that it is clear, easy and safe. The volunteer host homes are based all over London.
 
The second 'step' is finding suitable accommodation for the client and helping them to move in. Clients are assessed at the office and their needs and options recorded. If they are assessed as suitable for private rented accommodation, Two Step refer to landlords and provide assistance accessing rent in advance from the Social Fund or other means. They also now provide letters to arrange direct payments for landlords under the new Local Housing Allowance rules. Subsequently Two Step monitor the tenancy and provide support through advocacy, and employment and benefits advice.

In 2005, the Moving On mentoring and befriending programme was established, whereby volunteer mentors, who have completed training, meet newly housed clients for two hours every two weeks for six months. This is to maximise the likelihood of the tenancy succeeding, and also to provide social and directional support for the early part of the tenancy. The programme has been very successful - around 10% of people housed by Two Step take it up and complete mentoring relationships, but all find it a real help in their resettlement and many have been able to access work, education and training opportunities with the support received.
 
 

KEY STEPS TO ESTABLISH THE PROJECT

• The project was initially set up in 1993 by a group of Churches as a rent deposit scheme.
• The programme developed and expanded as links were made with the voluntary sector and local authorities across London.
• Host families were recruited through established church and voluntary sector networks.
• Two Step gradually built up strong relationships with landlords, and a comprehensive database of landlords and estate agents in the private sector who provide affordable housing.
• The programme initially provided rent deposits to all clients, but this became unaffordable, so they now also have arrangements with landlords who waver the deposit, or help clients apply for resources such as crisis loans, refugee integration loans, community care grants, Scotscare or Veterans’ Aid grants.
 

LESSONS LEARNT

• It is better to recruit host families on a one-by-one basis rather than having a big recruitment drive so that you can provide focussed training and support.
• It is important to provide travel expenses and detailed and accurate instructions to host houses so that clients are able to independently find their way there.
• Be flexible with hosts and ask what they are able to provide. Some families with children in particular will only take women, some can only do a couple of nights a year, etc.
• Monitor stopover placements on a daily basis and ensure that the host and client are both happy.
• People who were previously homeless are often very supportive and reliable hosts.
• There are many grants and resources available for people moving into a new home - be creative to find routes into housing for rough sleepers.
• There are many people who are willing to take an adult stranger into their homes. The clients are often more nervous about the stopover than the hosts.
 

KEY MESSAGE

Hope worldwide has evolved from a rent deposit scheme into a broader, move-on oriented set of services. This shows that service provision need not be static, but can change to meet demand. Rent deposits have been augmented by deposit waivers from trusted landlords, helping clients apply for crisis and refugee integration loans and community care grants. Hope’s key lessons are that close contact with host families is crucial for success, and attention to detail, for example in providing clients travel expenses and directions, is also important for delivering quality a service.