Briefings

Housing, Homeless and Regeneration

Spectrum of Possibility A Guide for Housing Providers
Norcas Consultancy for Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Partnership (October 2007)

This guide has been developed for providers and commissioners of supported housing services as a framework to use when thinking through the delivery of housing for people with drug/alcohol problems. It also provides benchmarks against which providers working across a broad spectrum can compare themselves. Its ultimate aim is to support housing providers and commissioners looking to make their contribution to increasingly successful outcomes for people with drug/alcohol problems, their families and the wider community.

STREET HOMELESSNESS IN LEEDS: A SURVEY BY LEEDS SIMON COMMUNITY
Leeds Simon Community (October 2006)

A research paper looking at the extent, and nature of street homelessness in Leeds beyond the headline figures provided by the headcounts.

Clean Break: Integrated Housing and Care Pathways for Homeless Drug Users
Homeless link (2007)

Clean break focuses on how housing and treatment services can work together more effectively to support treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of homelessness among drug users engaging in treatment.

The project was developed in response to the frustrations of Homeless Link members who all too often see the efforts of homeless people going into treatment going to waste when no suitable accommodation is available.

Clean Break Toolkit
Homeless link (2007)

This Toolkit has been developed to assist commissioners, service providers and strategic leads for drug and housing services create more integrated housing and care pathways for drug users engaging in treatment services.

The impact of enforcement on street users in England
JRF (2007)

This report of the Independent Working Group on Drug Consumption Rooms provides a detailed examination of whether DCRs should be introduced in the UK. Includes a Main Report, Summary and detailed annexes on surrounding issues.

The Stigma of Rural Homelessness in Wales
Heather Blythe/Wallich Clifford Community (2006)

The charity identified a significant gap in available research exploring in detail the extent and nature of rough sleeping in these rural counties and, with funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales,was able to embark on a three-month research project with the following objectives:

To collect evidence of need for outreach projects in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire (this was extended to Pembrokeshire and Powys)
To provide a service for people living street-based lifestyles
To collect information about the needs of the client group and work with the Local Authorities and service providers to develop services that meet the identified need

This report analyses the evidence and information gathered during the period of research,and looks in detail at the pattern of homelessness in these rural areas. Individual case studies, gathered through firsthand information given by over 130 homeless people, highlight specific issues that surfaced repeatedly.

Exploring community responses to drugs
JRF (November 2004)

'Communities' provides one of the core strands of the national drugs strategy, but practical efforts to include the community in this area of public policy are in their infancy. The research described here sought to explore the role of community responses to drugs through a national survey and a series of detailed case studies.

Home and Dry
Crisis (2002)

The importance of Jane Fountain and Samantha Howes’ research lies in the fact that it explores one of the most complex and controversial aspects of the homelessness problem. In its unflinching examination of the relationship between substance misuse and homelessness, Home and Dry? reveals the extent and nature of the problem that we face and drawsthe necessary conclusions.

Drug Services for Homeless People - a good practice handbook
Drugscope/Homeless Directorate (December 2002)

A new publication written by the worthy Randall, in conjunction with Jill Britton at Drugscope. Is intended to be a guide to providing effective routes in and through drug services for people who are homeless. Amazingly, manages to avoid saying anything useful or critical about Section 8, which is quite a feat.

Youth Homelessness and Substance Use
Home Office (February 2003)

This is a good report which highlights the nature and extent of drug use amongst people who are homeless. It makes reference to Section 8 of the MDA, and the problems that will be caused by the Amendment. However, the report falls short of recomending repeal of this legislation. Whether this was caused by pressure from the Home Office or because the evidence did not support such a position remains to be seen.

TACKLING DRUG USE IN RENTED HOUSING: A Good Practice Guide
Home Office (January 2002)

Authors: Flemen and Robinson:
A report that started life well and got dragged in to the Government's anti-drugs agenda. It was meant to be about how to house drug users successfully, and became increasingly punitive. The Appendix, written by unamed people at the Home Office, reflects a view of Section 8 that is currently not accurate.

Reducing Drug and Alcohol Harms to Communities and Families
Home Office (March 2010)

This updated guidance builds on Tackling Drugs as Part of Neighbourhood Renewal (2005) and reflects current issues and thinking appropriate to communities and families.

Effective Engagement: A Guide to principles and Practice
Scottish Effective Interventions Unit (January 2002)

This guide examines the principles and practice of community engagement with particular reference to the drug misuse field.

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