“The Future is Local” Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council.

“The Future is Local”

Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council

The Westminster context

• Westminster’s attraction at the heart of London

• Average house prices exceed £500,000

• 3 years ago more people sleeping rough in the City than anywhere else – but now halved

• Target to halve number of people living in temporary accommodation by 2010

The Future is Local

• Changing public perceptions through:Tackling problems of soup runsFocusing on the cause of

homelessness, rather than the symptoms

What are the full range of services homeless people need?

The Future is Local

Detailed data analysis:

• 40% had alcohol support needs

• 33% involved in drug use

• 40% with mental health needs

• 38% previously in prison

• 13% had been in care

The Future is Local

• European dimension:Growing impact of EU

accession statesArrival of larger, family

groupsPeople without language

skills or housing optionsNeed to respond quickly

The Future is Local

• Move away from reliance on outreach, street-based approach

• Development of Building Based Services - primary care, mental health, substance misuse and housing options

• Results: 70% of those in hostels moving to independent housing

• Support of local agencies

The Future is Local

• Investment in Social Rented Housing in Westminster

Investment in Social Rented Housing

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2000/01 (511units)

2001/02 (271units)

2002/03 (274units)

2003/04 (180units)

2004/05 (154units)

£ m

illio

n

Housing Corporation SHG

Affordable Housing Funds

LASHG

The Future is Local

• Local Government Assocation perspective:Local authorities as “place shapers”Tackling homelessness through a strategic

approach to housingA “more varied menu” of housing optionsNeed for genuine devolution of decisions to

the correct, local level

The Future is Local

• Tackling worklessness to tackle homelessness

• Local authorities acting as brokers to promote access to skills and education

• Co-ordinated services, knocking down the barriers to employment

So why is the future local?

One Size Does Not Fit All

Regional surplus and shortage of homes in England, 2003There are housing shortages in the south of England

-2.5%

-2.0%

-1.5%

-1.0%

-0.5%

0.0%

0.5%

Y&H WM EM NW NE East SE SW London

Source: DLCG live tables (dwellings), March 2005 household estimates (households), and Survey of English Housing (second homes); the data is for 2003; England

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So why is the future local?

One Size Does Not Fit All

• Local circumstances – and local knowledge – are crucial

• The full range of services – social, economic and environmental – all need to be co-ordinated and provided

• Local authorities in place, and ready to make significant progress given the tools and the resources from government

“The Future is Local”

Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council