The following case studies are based on real people, although names have been removed and details have been changed to preserve anonymity.
Much of the work that we do is more complicated than simply housing someone…
1
Dave had been residing in a local hostel for over the permitted 18 months, so he was referred to us.
We spoke to one of our local landlords who had
just offered us a self–contained studio flat & arranged a viewing. Dave loved the property, so we negotiated with the landlord to reduce the rent of £750.00 pcm, to a more affordable amount, otherwise Dave would have his benefit
capped & the tenancy wouldn’t be sustainable.
We paid the rent in advance of £706.00 and issued a Deposit Guarantee Certificate. This in turn freed up a room at the hostel for clients being housed in temporary accommodation
due to the COVID–19 pandemic.
2
A long–term rough sleeper was verified & due to the Government’s COVID–19 “Everyone In” initiative, was placed in short term accommodation. There was a vacancy at a hostel, but due to rent arrears from a previous stay he was unable to move in.
We repaid his arrears & paid his upfront costs
enabling him to move in. He settled in well & is engaging with recovery & resettlement services. This will enable us to work with him in the future when he is ready to sustain a private sector tenancy.
3
A couple had been given notice to move due to overcrowding issues. The Council asked if we knew of any properties, as the clients had been
searching themselves, but not found anything they could afford whilst on benefits.
We knew of a large, self–contained flat, that had been empty for some time and needed bringing up to a good standard to pass an Environmental Health inspection.
We liaised with the Landlord and his contractors to get the work completed. Environmental Health inspected & approved the property.
We negotiated with the landlord & he was happy to reduce the rent to an affordable amount. We paid their rent in advance of £745 & covered their deposit enabling the clients to move in. We also helped them apply for Universal Credit, so they could pay their rent & Council Tax Reduction to help with their Council Tax costs.