spotlight on lgbt+ homelessness and housing options · spotlight on lgbt+ homelessness and housing...
TRANSCRIPT
Spotlight on LGBT+ Homelessness and Housing Options –
30th
March 2016 Event Report
List of Attendees
Kate Alaway Homeless Link
Jane Bancroft Homeless Link
Nicola Best Evolve Housing
Annette Blake Spear
Elena Brooks Spear
Lisa Davies Albert Kennedy Trust
Claudette Dixon Christian Action Housing
Lukasz Fila Camden SST
Ana Maria Garcia YMCA East London
Bob Green Stonewall Housing
Dean Harris NHYC
Alexander Heubel The Simon Community
Sue Hicks Christian Action Housing
Lara Iannelli Rhythms of Life
Amber Ine Evolve Housing
Nicke Johnston Genesis HA
Andrew Jones Evolve Housing
Emma Kophamel Albert Kennedy Trust
Avis Maxwell Spear
Michael Nastari Stonewall Housing
Serge Nicholson Galop
Michelle Ross CliniQ
Julia Shelley
Sabina Stefanova The Passage
Suki Thiara Stonewall Housing
Maria Thomas St Mungo's
Beth Wagstaff Look Ahead
Aedan Wolton CliniQ
Aims of the event:
To update delegates about the latest research and toolkits in the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans) housing/homelessness sectors.
For delegates to improve their knowledge about LGBT+ homelessness, housing options and other cross-sector issues.
For organisations to think about practical changes they can make to their organisations to ensure their services are more inclusive to LGBT+ clients.
For delegates to network with other homelessness agencies and sectors.
What does the + mean? By using the + at the end of LGBT it shows that you are open and welcoming to people who self identify as another sexuality or gender identity minority group such as asexual, pan-sexual, intersex etc.
Summary of Main Points LGBT+ clients are not a homogenous group. People come from different backgrounds,
ethnicities, religion, experiences, disabilities, etc., so one solution doesn’t work for all.
There are limited housing options for both young and older LGBT+ homeless clients.
Ask clients questions around their sexuality and gender identity. How do they identify, how would they like to be addressed? Check their pronouns (he/she/they)? Don’t make any assumptions.
Have LGBT+ visibility in your teams/organisations eg staff, volunteers.
Promote and celebrate LGBT+ events eg LGBT+ History Month (February in the UK), Pride in London (10th-26th June 2016).
Main points from chair’s welcome
Stonewall Housing are a specialist housing and advice support agency for people who define as LGBT+. The organisation was set up 30 years ago and has 6 houses, an advice line for all ages and run a number of drop-in sessions (see resource section below for sessions).
This session aims to help clarify what you, your organisation and the homelessness/housing sector can do differently to improve the lives of those who define as LGBT+.
LGBT+ clients are not a homogenous group. People come from different backgrounds, ethnicities, religion, experiences, disabilities, etc., so one solution doesn’t work for all.
These are challenging times – services are operating in times of cuts, redundancies, welfare reform, and service closures eg PACE and Eaves Housing. However there are opportunities too.
If we can change the life of an LGBT+ client, we can change their world for the better.
Main points from Improvements to housing provision and services for older
LGBT+ people (Julia Shelley and Bob Green)
Feasibility study is funded by Big Lottery and Commonweal Housing. So the needs of older LGBT+ clients are taken into account when developing housing solutions, the study focuses on: - options and models - existing provision/providers - schemes in Europe and the US
- identifying internal partners for developing and funding projects.
Older LGBT+ Housing Network (funded by Comic Relief) brings together a range of partners including LAs, HCA, GLA etc. to work together to find a solution. Network meetings are held in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton to discuss housing for older LGBT+ people. Download the North West Guide for the older LGBT+ Community.
Bona Latties has produced guides for residents and groups.
The National LGB&T Partnership – is an England-wide group of 12 LGB&T voluntary and community organisations who are committed to reducing the health inequalities of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities and to challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within public services.
What are the housing options for older LGBT+ people? Need to challenge the current housing and care providers.
Polari "As we Grow Older" Report looks at the kind of housing and support older LGBT+ people need. Some people want specific housing eg schemes for older lesbians, others don’t. What people do want is choice, and this doesn’t currently exist. Older LGBT+ people want good quality housing, to live as part of a community and for there to be space for the community to come into the project.
There is an increased number of older LGBT+ people living on their own in isolation.
Some LGBT+ people don’t feel comfortable living in existing older people’s schemes. For example they go back into the closest, there is fear of discrimination and prejudice since many assume residents have led a heterosexual life.
Stonewall Housing and other groups are working towards a flagship project for around 40-50 older LGBT+ people in the UK.
Other options include: - developing sheltered schemes - flats with additional support - remodelling existing projects - residential care homes with specialist LGBT+ wings - long term shared housing with mutual support - Co-housing schemes - when a group of individuals come together to develop, design and fund a scheme. The Older Women's Co-housing Scheme in LB Brent is developing 17 homes for ownership and 8 to rent. The scheme has taken 18 years to develop. There is a need to look at ways to help other groups do this quicker. Co-housing brings challenges around resources, ownership and rental mix, access, security whilst the scheme is developed.
How can we build LGBT+ provision into current older people’s schemes? There are a few good examples with different providers and some of these will be shared through the Feasibility Study.
Bob Green recently visited LGBT+ friendly schemes in Los Angeles and Minneapolis in the US. Accommodation offers a refuge and somewhere that residents can call “home”.
The accommodation Bob visited in the US is affordable (key aspect), suitable and accessible. These themes are one we should be extending to existing Older housing schemes in the UK.
LGBT+ population needs are not being met. LAs now need to comply with the Care Act, Equality Act, Social Responsibility Act.
Important for services to collect data of service user’s sexuality and gender identity, to build a picture and evidence need in an area.
The feasibility study findings will be launched at the end of May 2016. If you would like to be kept up to date about the findings, or feed into the study email [email protected].
If you would like further information about the Older LGBT+ Network contact [email protected].
Accommodation Options for young LGBT+ homeless people (Michael Nastari, Stonewall Housing and Lisa Davies, Albert Kennedy Trust) Young people used to be defined as 25 and under, now tends to be under 35. Those
aged 25-35 don’t have the same housing options, however there is no specific housing for this age group. Stonewall Housing have seen increases in the amount of people in this age bracket approaching the service.
Wider issues such as welfare reform and housing benefit cuts are making clients anxious.
Many young people don’t feel comfortable as identifying in a binary way such as male or female, gay or straight. Young people are increasing deconstructing concepts and forming new ways of identifying. Workers need to be patient when working with young LGBT+ young people, give them the space to freely express their identity and acknowledge they have the freedom to change and redefine how they choose to identify.
There used to be an LGBT+ youth group in every London borough, but now there are only 5-6 in London - details of which can be found on http://LGBTjigsaw.net.
September 2008 LGBT Jigsaw set up. Partnership between Stonewall Housing, AKT, Galop and PACE (no longer exists). Project offers “one stop support” around housing, mental health, safety, domestic violence. Accept self-referrals - Self referral form.
2012 London Youth Gateway funded by London Councils was set up. Partnership between Stonewall Housing, Alone in London, New Horizon Youth Centre and Depaul UK. As part of the London Youth Gateway, Stonewall Housing coordinates LGBT+ Jigsaw.
Youth LGBT+ homelessness is a complex area. Homelessness usually occurs because of their sexuality and more young LBGT+ people are getting kicked out of home.
Some young LGBT+ clients may look like they have low support needs on paper, but many have higher support once service is working with them. Some clients may build up barriers to disclosing their sexuality and other issues such as substance misuse becomes the main area of support.
Move-on options are very limited for higher support needs clients. It is a challenge to find suitable accommodation. Hammersmith and Fulham have a gay men’s shared house.
There are problems around proving estrangement ie asking for a letter from a parent is inappropriate if they are the person the young person is trying to flee from.
The use of crystal meth and ‘chem-sex’ is growing amongst young gay and bi men. Young people would rather spend a night in a club or exchanging sex for place to stay rather than sleep on the streets. The use of crystal meth is having a growing impact on mental health.
These young people are hard to be picked up by services such as NSNO. With the NSNO approach, the person has to be sleeping in the same place for a number of nights, however this would be dangerous for many young vulnerable people. It would be useful for LGBT+ organisations like Stonewall Housing to partner more with NSNO to sport LGBT+ rough sleepers.
Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) was set up in 1999. The organisation has offices in London, Manchester and Newcastle. They provide support to those 25 or under who are homeless or experiencing a crisis at home. Offer telephone advice, advocacy, assessment, mentoring and befriending, e-mentoring service, emergency accommodation through their Purple Door project (6 beds for people fleeing DV, community violence who aren’t priority need), maximum stay 3 weeks. Also offered supported lodgings, ie space in a carer’s home for 12-18 months for young people aged 16-19.
AKT also lobby to improve housing and services for LGBT+ people and have written a report for Government about LGBT youth homelessness.
Important to create a “safe space” and give people chance to express themselves. Ask clients questions around their sexuality and gender identity. How do they identify, what pronoun do they like to use (he/she/they)? Don’t make any assumptions.
Have LGBT+ visibility in your teams/organisations eg staff, volunteers.
If anyone has any specific LGBT+ groups or events running in their organisations, email [email protected].
It would be nice to build up a London Housing Pathway for LGBT+ clients.
LGBT+ communities need to support each other.
Having an LGBT+ champion, especially someone higher up in the organisation is important.
Don’t under estimate how your actions can create change in your service and client’s lives.
Housing, health and wellbeing – What’s working and what could we do better
to improve trans inclusivity (CliniQ and Galop)
Trans people are often anxious about accessing mainstream health services due to previous poor experience of various health services. CliniQ was set up 4 years ago.
The service is the only sexual well-being clinic in the UK for those identifying as trans (or think they might be), their family and friends. 3 counsellors run 8-9 sessions on Wednesdays, 5-8pm at 56 Dean Street. The service works with nurses to co-ordinate health care, harm reduction and safer sex. The service also offers acupuncture, job search, housing advice. Work in partnership with Stonewall Housing and Galop.
Liver function test is offered irrespective of HIV status.
Also offer a hormone injection service (need proof of ID and prescription).
Those who are HIV+ living in unstable housing can make it hard to administer medication. In these situations it’s better not to start the treatment and wait until housing is more secure.
Galop is London’s LGBT+ anti-violence & abuse charity. They run an advice line and do case work, advocacy, information and practical and emotional support. For example bullying at work, advocacy of rights. Assist those who have experienced violence/sexual abuse/hate crime to report. Frequently there is disbelief from the police when a hate crime is reported. Also works with partners and families of trans clients to access resources.
Ask client how they describe themselves/how they would like to be addressed.
How can homelessness services be made more trans friendly? - Employ/recruit trans volunteers - Make sure employees are culturally aware – staff to familiarise themselves with
terms through training - Training for resident groups - Use trans-friendly language across organisation eg website, forms, remove
bureaucratic obstacles eg paper ID. Can take time to get new ID documents. Councils are unable to amend documents if person has rent arrears.
- Policies – ensuring needs of trans people are taken into account. - Sensitive but direct questions as to how person identifies eg male/female/trans male
to female, trans women to male, non binary. Which gender were you assigned to at birth?
PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) is an emergency pill medicine that may stop an HIV infection developing if you’ve been exposed to the virus. PEP is available at CliniQ.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and it is a way of preventing HIV infection by taking medication on an ongoing basis.
PrEP is not currently available on the NHS. 56 Dean Street are able to prescribe PrEP at the cost of the drug, however this may be unaffordable to many and they may buy the drug online. CliniQ offers advice and information about PrEP in weekly drop-ins.
Trans Health Matters Conference 2016
If you would like to arrange a visit to the service contact [email protected].
Diary Dates 31/3/16 Trans day of visibility #TDoV
7/4/16 Generation Homeless ITV
London Mayor election 5/5/16. LVSC are holding 2 hustings: one on the 13th April 2016 11am to 1pm and the second on Monday 25th April, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Book your place Further Information. Email [email protected] with any queries.
Group work - Hate Crime Hate crime is crime motivated by a protected equalities characteristic ie sexuality, race,
religion, etc.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission funded research into hate crime. 35 organisations across England, Scotland and Wales took part.
The research showed that in most areas very few LGBT+ hate crimes were being reported to the police. However some areas showed very high instances of LGBT+ hate crime reporting. For example Merseyside – almost 1,400 hate crimes in 9 months, 75% of these were social housing tenants and Leicester study found 24% of LGBT+ clients move home to escape violence, 70-74% avoid certain areas or stay inside.
Housing organisations are often the 1st point of contact for tenants to report incidents, however some organisations were seen as part of the problem and not the solution.
There has been some v poor practice in some neighbourhood offices where the report log and victim’s details have been shown to the perpetrator.
Chartered Institute of Housing published guidance in 2011 about Delivering Services to Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender Customers.
Filling in the Blanks research found the majority of LGBT+ hate crime incidences were reported to LGBT+ organisations.
Stonewall Housing’s toolkit aims to increase awareness of hate crime and hate crime reporting this will be released in the coming weeks via social media.
Group work – Forced Marriage Stonewall Housing launched their domestic violence and forced marriage toolkit on
30/3/16.
Social media campaign highlights experiences of survivors of forced marriage, working with them to agree language, issues for the campaign etc. Each campaign designed according to the culture/language.
Online resource in 6 languages focussed on emergency accommodation this is to be launched in due course please see Stonewall Housing’s Facebook for more info.
Key communities affected by forced marriage – South Asian, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, West African and Traveller communities. Although it can happen to anyone.
Forced marriage – someone telling you who to marry - family pressure, to cover up sexuality / gender identity key themes are ‘honour’ and power.
There is a difference between arranged and forced marriage. Arranged – person may be aware marriage is going to happen from an early age, they consent as an adult and they are an adult when it happens and they know what’s going to happen. Forced marriage – person has no choice in the matter; they pressured into it directly or indirectly.
What can organisations do differently to improve the lives of LGBT+ people?
Improved partnership working with specialist LGBT+ organisations eg Stonewall Housing, Galop, AKT, CliniQ etc.
Research LGBT+ services and organisations who clients could be referred to.
Improved data collection – for example reviewing signing in forms so they are more inclusive. For example adding trans male, trans female and non binary. Stonewall Housing to email the form they use to delegates.
Look to create “safe spaces” so staff and residents are more open when talking about their sexual and/or gender identity.
Putting up posters about hate crime and forced marriage.
Knowing how to support someone who wants to report hate crime or forced marriage.
Become more welcoming to LGBT+ staff and clients by recruiting more staff and volunteers who define as LGBT+. LGBT+ staff on interview panels. Practice what you preach.
Inform staff about “House Proud” – LGBT+ staff support group for those in the housing sector see here.
Setting up/reviewing LGBT+ groups eg St Mungo’s.
Staff and client training – to increase awareness about LGBT+ (issues, terminology,
specific services, practical and emotional support etc.). Also training to improve
knowledge of other people’s cultures. Training is offered by AKT and Stonewall Housing.
Staff knowing organisational policies eg confidentiality policies to help crate safe spaces.
Review safeguarding policy.
Celebrate positive stories.
Research about what LA’s are doing eg commissioning, specific projects, community cafes etc.
Look at what the Mayoral candidates are saying around LGBT+ issues and rights http://prideinlondon.org/about-us/news/2016/03/22/mayoral-candidates-vow-to-fight-for-prep http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/londons-mayoral-candidates-stand-LGBT+i-issues/ http://divamag.co.uk/category/news/mayoral-candidates-debate-LGBT+-issues-at-pride-in-london-hustings.aspx
What can the housing/homelessness sector do differently to improve the lives of LGBT+ people? Improve working relationships and joint working with the police to support LGBT+ clients.
Improve 3rd party reporting – how to do this.
Develop good practice on how housing/homelessness organisations support people who want to report hate crime.
Look at evictions procedures and how these will be handled if hate crime is involved. Not always immediate eviction. Need to put victim at the heart of policies.
Improve data collection across sectors.
Develop a London housing pathway for LGBT+ clients.
To review and develop the No Second Night Out approach to working with young LGBT+ clients.
Greater involvement of the Mayor of London with the voluntary sector – “bigger voice” across equality issues. For example bring back the housing equality group.
Improved partnership working between the voluntary sector and commissioners to ensure services meet the needs of the local LGBT+ population.
Diary Dates 31/3/16 Trans day of visibility #TTOV
7/4/16 Generation Homeless ITV 7.30pm
London Mayor election 5/5/16. LVSC will be holding a hustings on 13th April 2016: http://civi.lvsc.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=875
Research National Housing Federation are carrying out research into the experience of housing for people who identify as LGBT+. If you have five minutes to spare, please Complete the survey. The research is particularly interested in exploring themes around homelessness, domestic abuse and mental health. Given how different the experience of these issues can be for people who define as LGBT+, it is vital that landlords and service providers ensure that their services are accessible and appropriate. Contact Lucy Pedrick for more information.
Useful Resources Stonewall Housing - www.stonewallhousing.org
https://twitter.com/Stonewallhousin
Advice line – 020 73595767 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm and 2-5pm\)
Weekly Sessions drop-in sessions:
Monday 14:00 – 15:30 Lighthouse South London, 14-15 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London, SE1 7RJ Tuesday 10:30 - 12:00
Roar Service (domestic abuse), Earl's Court Health & Wellbeing Centre, 2b Hogarth Road, Earl's Court, London, SW5 0PT Wednesday 14:00 – 15:30
Origin Housing, St Richards House, 110 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BS Friday 14:00 – 15:30 London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DN Fortnightly drop-in sessions: Centrepoint: Wednesdays, twice a month as follows:
54 Dean Street, London, W1D 6AQ (for young people under 25 yrs) Monthly drop-in sessions:
Metro Centre Greenwich: First Tuesday of every month, 14:00 - 15:30 141 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8JA CliniQ: First Wednesday of every month, 18:00 - 19:30
56 Dean Street, London, W1D 6AQ (for trans* people)
Galop - www.galop.org.uk https://twitter.com/GalopLondon Albert Kennedy Trust - www.akt.org.uk
https://twitter.com/AlbertKennedyTr
London Youth Gateway - www.londonyouthgateway.org.uk
https://twitter.com/LDNyouthgateway
CliniQ - http://cliniq.org.uk
Commonweal Housing - www.commonwealhousing.org.uk
https://twitter.com/CommonwealTweet
Big Lottery - www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
https://twitter.com/BigLotteryFund
Next PLUS Events Substance Misuse Forum – 25th May 2016, 12 noon-4pm. Email [email protected] to book a place. Spotlight on “Systems Change” – 8th June, 12 noon-4pm. Email [email protected] to book a place. Strategic Forum – 15th June 2016 (timings TBC). Email [email protected] to book a place.