THE PROVISION OF THE MEDWAY HOUSING FIRST SERVICE

Medway Council wants a Medway Housing First service to provide an intensively supported housing option for the most vulnerable rough sleepers in Medway. The service will need to provide support to former rough sleepers as they become established in their own tenancy. The overall aim is to impact positively on the number of rough sleepers on the streets of Medway who are not able to make use of widely available routes into accommodation, and who have not been able to access supported accommodation and sustain this accommodation. The only stipulation placed on people receiving the service is that they must want to have their own accommodation and understand the responsibilities that this entails. The service must therefore include methods of supporting people who may be reluctant to accept help. This will require very robust engagement strategies from the provider, who will need to work in close partnership with other statutory and voluntary agencies as applicable, and also need to make sure that relationships with neighbours are managed effectively. Additional elements, such as the inclusion of peer supporters or volunteers would be welcomed, as well as any ideas for innovation in the provision of the service or sourcing of accommodation.