GMCA 1386 - Greater Manchester Housing First and Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme

In 2019 the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) commissioned programme of three pilots with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region and West Midlands Combined to pilot the large-scale delivery of Housing First in England. The service is for people who have multiple and complex needs who have experienced long term recurrent periods of homelessness and exclusion from services leading to them having difficulties in finding and sustaining suitable accommodation.

The pilot has now been delivered for 6 years supporting 568 people to date across the 10 Greater Manchester Local Authorities. GMCA were successful in competitive bidding processes to secure Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP) properties across Greater Manchester, there will be a maximum of 58 properties in this contract.

This tender was to procure a Housing First and RSAP services for a further 12 months (with option to extend for 3x12 months period) to continue to support those individuals on the programmes including housing those that are yet to secure a permanent offer of accommodation. - Housing First Programme Housing First is an innovative approach that prioritises providing stable, permanent housing to individuals experiencing prolonged homelessness and co-occurring conditions.

The core principle of Housing First is that housing is a fundamental human right and should not be contingent on compliance with treatment or sobriety. The Housing First fidelity principles are essential to ensure the effectiveness of Housing First services.

These principles are designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those with complex needs we expect any interested provider to fully endorse and demonstrate their belief in these key principles: 1. Housing as a Basic Human Right: Immediate access to housing without preconditions such as sobriety or participation in treatment. 2.

Person-Centred Support: Tailored support based on individual needs, preferences, and goals. 3. Separation of Housing and Services: Housing is provided independently of support services, ensuring that losing housing is not a consequence of not engaging with services. 4.

Recovery-Oriented Approach: Focus on recovery and well-being, supporting individuals to build a meaningful and satisfying life. 5. Harm Reduction: Support individuals in reducing the negative impacts of substance use and other risky behaviours, without requiring abstinence. 6.

Active Engagement without Coercion: Building relationships and trust through consistent, non-coercive engagement. 7. Flexible Support for as Long as Needed: Providing support for as long as it is needed, with no time limits - Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme As RSAP 1 and 2 enter the final stage of property procurement means there will be circa 50-60 tenancies to support across the Greater Manchester Region.

Support ratios are intended to be at 1:10. The tender is for revenue funding to provide intensive support to individuals transitioning from homelessness to stable housing.

Key benefits of the RSAP include: 1. Provision of Move-On Homes: RSAP focuses on creating long-term housing solutions for rough sleepers, ensuring they have a stable place to live. 2.

Intensive Support Services: The programme provides comprehensive support to address the complex needs of individuals to maintain their tenancies and improve their quality of life. 3. Collaboration: working with partners from a spectrum of services to coordinated approach to support Rough Sleepers 4. Community Integration: By providing stable housing and support, RSAP helps individuals reintegrate into their communities, fostering social inclusion and reducing isolation.