Housing First Pilot Project - PIN

Tender description

Scottish Borders Council wishes to run a 2 year Housing First pilot project and is seeking expressions of interest from providers with operational experience in delivering support services to households with multiple and complex needs. Acting as the contracting authority for the Borders Health and Homelessness Strategic Partnership (BHHSP), Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is seeking expressions of interest from providers with suitable experience to partner in delivering a pilot project providing support services to households with multiple and complex needs within the Scottish Borders on the Housing First model. The Housing First model rejects the idea that many people are not ‘ready’ for housing, recognising that ordinary, settled housing as a first response for people with complex needs beyond housing is the best base for recovery. It departs from orthodox ‘linear’ approaches to homelessness by placing homeless people with complex needs directly into independent tenancies without first insisting that they progress through transitional housing programmes. Tenants are then provided with flexible, non-time-limited support in their homes and communities. The client group we are aiming the project at is those who have typified the ‘revolving door’ of repeat homelessness and we hope for it to become the first response for people whose homelessness is made harder by experiences such as trauma, addiction, mental health and criminality. The provider would coordinate and deliver flexible and intensive wrap around support to this client group in line with the 7 principles of Housing First whilst also responding to the challenges posed by the rural location and housing stock position. This intensive support may include: -One to one service -Links, access and coordination of all support service user identifies as required for recovery -Arranging, accompanying and following up on meetings and appointments in support of needs -Regular support arrangements up to 24/7 if required The list is not exhaustive as the scope and duration of the support provision will be determined by the needs of the service user with a goal of declining supports and transitioning into mainstream services where possible, tailored to the needs of Borders households. The pilot will run for two years with an option (dependant on receiving a third year of Scottish Government funding) to extend this for an additional 12 months to enable us to test and evaluate the Housing First model. The successful provider, will set-up, operate, and manage a service that will seek to prevent homelessness occurring, minimise the effect of homelessness on individuals and their families and promote tenancy sustainment within the Scottish Borders Council area. This will increase and ensure collaboration with wider services such as Housing, Health and Social Care to achieve the best possible outcome for the service user.