key priority for the Council to ensure that it can facilitate access to the private rented sector and to work closely with Registered Social Landlords (housing associations) to find solutions for homeless households. Chart 2 9.3 Profile of homelessness There is a consistently high number of homeless presentations in Swansea. Over the past five years these have ranged between 2,500-3,000. There is no indication that this will decrease in the next few years and therefore there is continual pressure on the service. In 2016/17, 2,661 homeless decisions were made by the Council. 1,143 (43%) were found to be threatened with homelessness (within 56 days). Despite these high numbers, Swansea has performed well and prevented homelessness for 73% of these households, which is above the Welsh average. Table 1: homelessness prevention rate compared with Wales Swansea’s – Households Households % prevented Wales - % threatened with successfully from prevented from homelessness prevented from homelessness homelessness within 56 days homelessness 2016/17 1143 831 73% 62% Of the remaining households who made a homelessness application: 983 households were found not to be homeless and were provided with other forms of housing advice and assistance 395 households were found to be either homeless or their homelessness could not be prevented 56 (of the 395) were homeless and not in priority need, and whilst not entitled to Council provided temporary accommodation they continued to receive advice and assistance to resolve their homelessness 54 (of the 395) were homeless and in priority need, and entitled to temporary accommodation until their homelessness was resolved 29 were ineligible for homelessness/housing assistance 1 household was found to be intentionally homeless The main causes of homelessness in Swansea remain the same as previous years and reflect the position across Wales: Loss of rented accommodation 18% – Parent(s) no longer willing or able to accommodate 14% – Domestic abuse 12% – In institution or care 12% – Prison leaver 11% – Breakdown of relationship with partner (Non-violent) 11% – Other relatives/friends no longer willing or able to accommodate 10% –
key priority for the Council to ensure that it can facilitate access to the private rented sector and to work closely with Registered Social Landlords (housing associations) to find solutions for homeless households. Chart 2 9.3 Profile of homelessness There is a consistently high number of homeless presentations in Swansea. Over the past five years these have ranged between 2,500-3,000. There is no indication that this will decrease in the next few years and therefore there is continual pressure on the service. In 2016/17, 2,661 homeless decisions were made by the Council. 1,143 (43%) were found to be threatened with homelessness (within 56 days). Despite these high numbers, Swansea has performed well and prevented homelessness for 73% of these households, which is above the Welsh average. Table 1: Swansea’s homelessness prevention rate – compared with Wales Households threatened with homelessness within 56 days Households successfully prevented from homelessness % prevented from homelessness Wales - % prevented from homelessness 2016/17 1143 831 73% 62% Of the remaining households who made a homelessness application: 983 households were found not to be homeless and were provided with other forms of housing advice and assistance 395 households were found to be either homeless or their homelessness could not be prevented 56 (of the 395) were homeless and not in priority need, and whilst not entitled to Council provided temporary accommodation they continued to receive advice and assistance to resolve their homelessness 54 (of the 395) were homeless and in priority need, and entitled to temporary accommodation until their homelessness was resolved 29 were ineligible for homelessness/housing assistance 1 household was found to be intentionally homeless The main causes of homelessness in Swansea remain the same as previous years and reflect the position across Wales: Loss of rented accommodation – 18% Parent(s) no longer willing or able to accommodate – 14% Domestic abuse – 12% In institution or care – 12% Prison leaver – 11% Breakdown of relationship with partner (Non-violent) – 11% Other relatives/friends no longer willing or able to accommodate – 10%