Tenancy sustainment

The number of people sleeping rough has been increasing across London, due in part to the cost of living crisis. More people are becoming homeless and people are often finding it harder to get off the streets, which is increasing pressure on services that are already quite stretched. However, meeting each individual’s needs remains a priority for services. Ensuring good cross-agency working and making best use of all the resources available in a community can help services to work as efficiently as possible while still meeting people’s needs.

At Homeless Action in Barnet, a support officer gives specialist advice to help people get into accommodation, or to maintain their tenancy when they may be struggling with rising costs or other issues. They work with clients to assess their needs and develop an action plan, which includes identifying and accessing support already available locally. People receive intensive support at the beginning, including with any additional needs they may have, and over time the support officer gradually withdraws support as the person is ready to take on more independently. Navigating the many obstacles to successfully finding a home and remaining housed can be very challenging for those who have been homeless, but with this type of ongoing support people are more likely to be able to maintain a home, as they learn to engage with local services and develop their independence.