Around 600 people leave prison into homelessness every month, according to official figures. Without a home to go to after being released, it is virtually impossible for prison leavers to get a job, build positive relationships or reintegrate back into society – as a result, two-thirds are likely to reoffend within a year*.
In a positive move, in 2023 the Government announced the rollout of the Community Accommodation Service scheme, following an initial pilot in 2021. The scheme will offer temporary housing for up to 12 weeks to 12,000 prisoners in England and Wales at risk of being released into homelessness.
Positive outcomes with a long-term approach
Homes for Cathy member Longhurst Group has seen the positive outcomes of such schemes at first hand, but its own experiences underline the importance of a long-term approach to working with this cohort.
One of the largest housing groups in the Midlands and East of England, the Group has owned and run housing related support services in Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire for many years and was most recently awarded ongoing funding in July 2020. The service provides 48 bed spaces over 17 shared accommodation properties for homeless vulnerable people with complex and multiple needs, with a focus on rough sleepers and prison leavers.
Most of the portfolio is situated in the East Marsh area, which is ranked 25th out of 32,844 areas in England for multiple deprivation. The average house price is around £70,000. Grimsby has the highest crime rate in Lincolnshire with 146 crimes per 1,000 people – 71% higher than the rest of Lincolnshire.
Service Manager, Rob Sumner has worked in the area for the Group for more than six years. In that time, he has seen the lives of many vulnerable people turned around with the support that is provided.
A high proportion of service users have been through the service previously
Rob said, “In the last 12 months, 74 percent of the service users were male, with 80 percent of those having some form of criminality. Due to the nature of the service, there can be a high turnover of customers. Many customers have been in and around the system for years, whether this be social care, prison or other supported accommodation; this means that a high proportion have been through the service previously.”
The ethos of the service is always to give customers a chance. Colleagues adapt their approach and work in a person-centred, trauma-informed way, which can make a real difference and positively impact a person’s life.
Most prison leavers will be homeless because their criminality has affected their ability to secure housing and/or their stay in prison is too long for them to be able to effectively sustain a tenancy. A lot of the work the service completes is goal orientated and tailored to the individual, and developing trust between colleagues and customers is key.
Daniel Revell-Wiseman, Head of Specialised Services at Longhurst Group, said:
“Colleagues seek every opportunity to develop a positive working relationship with customers, underpinned with professionalism, respect and a desire to go the extra mile and make a real difference to the people we support. The service is very fast paced, as often customers are referred and need to be housed at short notice straight from prison.”
Daniel Revell-Wiseman. Head of Specialised Services Longhurst Group
The team recently worked with John (name changed), who has been in and out of the service five times over the last eight years. Each time, John was accepted back with the view that each stay moved him closer to his ultimate goal of living in his own home. John received support on each occasion and is now free from substances for the first time in years. John is no longer involved in crime and, late last year, was successful in moving into his own flat. He is now in receipt of a lower-level of support from the service to help him continue to manage his tenancy.
* Source: Nacro
