Manchester Homelessness Partnership Board 

The Manchester Homelessness Partnership board met on Monday 22 January and was chaired by the Deputy Chair, Councillor Joanna Midgley. Agenda items and discussions took place on the following topics:

– A discussion on the newly published Manchester Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the development of an action plan that will go live on 1 April 2024, and the role of the partnership in monitoring the impact of this strategy over the next three years.
– An update and discussion with Greater Manchester Combined Authority on homelessness and ongoing work programmes and lobbying.
– An update from the Network and Communications Worker from the partnership action groups and their activities.
– An update and discussion on long term leasing by Manchester City Council and this will be regular item for board members to share their feedback with the lead commissioner.

– A review of the Manchester Homelessness Partnership membership – understanding who is in the room and identifying any gaps.
– Development of a new Manchester Homeless VCFSE Forum 
A new Chair has been identified for the Manchester Homelessness Partnership and they will be starting in their new role in March 2024. Watch this space for further information.

Understanding the training needs of frontline homelessness staff

Julie, the Homelessness Training Coordinator from the Manchester Dual Diagnosis Liaison Service at Greater Manchester Mental Health is asking people to share their experiences and needs of training you have been on or would find useful. The survey is open until the end of March 2024. 

Hidden homeless and living in temporary accommodation 

There is a record breaking number of households in temporary accommodation yet it remains a form of homelessness that many never hear about. Make yourself a brew and watch this film from Justlife on how they support people living in temporary accommodation.

‘What Macc Stands For’ Policy Statements
In September 2023, Macc launched their first “What We Stand For” policy statements. These new statements set out their stance on a range of issues that affect our city.
Today, Macc has published their Homelessness statement. Watch this video about the new statement with appearances from Manchester Women’s Aid, Shelter, Justlife and Macc. 
However, these are more than just written statements. They are their commitment to sharing what they believe and collaborating with others to challenge the very real social issues facing our city. 
Macc believe that Manchester is a great city but one that faces challenges such as poverty, homelessness, climate change and ill health. In fact, the impact of some of these issues such as poverty and ill health are felt more in this city than elsewhere in the country. Macc want to see real change in Manchester and so we are inviting you to join with us to discuss, campaign and take action on these issues. 

Useful Information Homeless Health Peer Advocacy from Shelter Homeless Health Peer Advocacy is a a service aimed at improving access to healthcare of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness through the delivery of peer-led advocacy style support. There is a team of Homeless Health Peer Advocates, all of which have lived experience of multiple disadvantage, can support patients to make and attend appointments, support with travel and digital inclusion and provide emotional and motivational support. Crucially the service offers the non-clinical support that makes clinical interventions possible and effective. In addition to supporting patients they also provide opportunities for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage to become Homeless Health Peer Advocates and receive an exciting, fulfilling and supportive volunteer experience. To volunteer with Shelter, you must be a resident of Manchester and have lived experience of either homelessness, substance misuse, mental health problems, criminal justice involvement or domestic abuse. Please apply using the link or get in touch with Ped Durling  To refer a patient to this service, they must be a resident of Manchester and be at risk of/experiencing homelessness and have a health need. They accept self, self-supported and agency/professional referrals. Please send a completed referral form to ManchesterHHPA@shelter.org.uk. One of the Peer Advocates will be in touch to acknowledge the referral and discuss this with the patient.Manchester homeless services list and free phone locations Thanks to Niall Love for updating these lists (Part 1) and (Part 2) of homeless services operating in Manchester and where to find free phone, charging and Wi-Fi locations across the city.  How to register with a doctor (GP) if you are homeless This NHS leaflet provides information on how to register with a doctor (GP) if you are homeless.Urgent Dental Service If you urgently need to see a dentist or you don’t have a regular dentist, call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800. Real Change Manchester Added together, your donations make a real change to people experiencing homelessness in Manchester. Donate to Real Change Manchester today. Barnabus  Support people on their journey off the streets at winter.Help and support for your council tax paymentsThere is extra help and support to residents who may be struggling. If you are behind with your council tax, contact Manchester City Council so you can work out a solution together. Call on 0161 234 5002, Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm. Further information can be read here. Manchester Cost of Living Advice Line Poverty can affect anyone from any background, and nobody should struggle to feed themselves or pay bills. You’re not alone, call Manchester’s Cost of Living advice line for support – 0800 023 2692 or text 07860 022 8756.

Reports and Journals Critical links between resettlement in the UK and rising rates of street homelessness A report released by the Centre for Homelessness Impact sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals being resettled in the UK. Exploring the connection between poverty, education, health inequalities and housing, it emphasises the role housing plays in shaping the destiny of those on the edge of society. The report highlights that refugees bear a disproportionate burden, often facing multiple challenges and disadvantages when trying to find stable accommodation. The Homelessness Monitor: England 2023 The Homelessness Monitor: England 2023 was commissioned by Crisis and led by Heriot-Watt University, as part of the Homelessness Monitor series, a longitudinal study providing independent analysis of the homelessness impacts of recent economic and policy developments in England. The research takes stock of homelessness in 2023 and the five year period before this. It also highlights emerging trends and forecasts some of the likely future changes, identifying the developments likely to have the most significant impacts on homelessness. Barriers faced by people with disabilities in exiting homelessness The latest report from the Centre for Homelessness Impact highlights that people with disabilities face many barriers to getting support and exiting homelessness, including difficulty getting a diagnosis, unsuitable environments, and a shortage of accessible housing. This comes alongside findings that working age adults with disabilities are more than twice as likely than peers to live in poverty in 2022.

Consultations and Surveys Good Landlord Charter – Greater Manchester Combined Authority The Good Landlord Charter is intended to be the first of its kind: an ambitious new voluntary standard for landlord excellence, no matter what kind of housing they let. It would support landlords to improve practice regardless of whether they are in the private or social rented sector, mainstream or specialist housing. This consultation closes on 26 February 2024.

Job Opportunities Our Room Manchester – Housing, Homelessness and Advocacy Lead Part-Time: 0.6FTE (22.5 Hours). Salary: FTE £33,945 – Actual £20,367 (NJC Scale Point 25). Closing date Friday 2 February at 5pm. Our Room Manchester – Office Co-ordinator Part-Time: 0.6FTE (22.5 Hours). Salary: FTE £28,770 – Actual £17,262 (NJC Scale Point 17). Closing date Monday 5 February at 5pm. Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH) Outreach Worker (Oldham and Rochdale) Fixed term for 1 year. Salary £31,586. Closing date midnight on Sunday 11th February 2024. Collaboration Worker at Macc 35 hours and salary is £27,291 per annum pro rata (26 days holiday + bank holidays). Closing date is 15 February, 2024. Further vacancies can be found at Manchester Community Central.

News and e-bulletins ‘It’s retraumatising them’: Refugees face homelessness after being granted right to live in UK – ITV News “Homelessness soars in rural England as living costs hit poor” – KHMERTimes ‘Nobody can disturb us here’ – Refugees start afresh in Manchester thanks to charity’s support – The Guardian (Boaz Trust) “ONS may stop publishing mortality data on homeless people” – The GuardianChanging Futures Greater Manchester initiative Issue 5, January 2024 Greater Manchester Poverty Action newsletter – 24 January 2024.

Events HOLD THE DATE – Launch of the Manchester Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy on Tuesday 27 February 2024 at Friends Meeting House from 2pm to 4pm. Further details to follow.   Launching Live Well: building community-led health & wellbeing across Greater Manchester Tuesday 27 February, 2024 from 12pm to 3.30pm at the 1830 Warehouse, The Science and Industry Museum.

TrainingPsychologically Informed Environment (PIE) Training This is free training aimed at staff working in the homeless sector from Greater Manchester Mental Health. It is designed to increase the learner’s knowledge of homeless people, understand their narratives and respond appropriately. If you are interested in attending, please complete this form. If you are unable to use the form, please send an email.