Homeless Services

What is Homeless Services?

What is Homeless Services?

Our aim is to provide high quality short-term accommodation together with a dedicated team who provide a visiting support service for people who are faced with homelessness. Our support is to help people through the crisis they face and to prepare them to successfully move on to their own independent tenancies.

We have 20 self-contained flats in total across 2 sites, both of which are both near to local amenities and good public transport links.

  • It is important to us that people feel positive about where they live;
  • At one of our sites is a communal garden with children’s play equipment. 
  • Our accommodation is affordable and eligible for Housing Benefit for people on low incomes.
  • Access to a 24-hour emergency repair contractor.
  • Our communal areas are subject to regular health & safety checks.
  • Support staff are well trained for their role. 

We offer help, guidance and advice such as:

  • Claiming welfare benefits 
  • Help in sorting out debt problems and budgeting 
  • Support and encouragement in career choices and gaining qualifications (e.g. keeping you up to date with where and what courses are available, help with forms, and CVs and accompanying you to appointments) 
  • Keeping you motivated and involved in decision making 
  • Contact other services/ agencies on your behalf
  • Homeless Services Guide

Who can apply?

Our Homeless Services is for homeless people aged 18 years + who need support and accommodation. Applications from people aged 16 to 17 can be considered if they have a trustee to act as a guarantor in place. The service is here to help single people, single parent families, and couples with or without children.

Your Details

I understand I/we will be required to sign a further declaration and consent form should your application progress.

I/We confirm the details given to be true.

By clicking the Submit button below, you confirm that everyone listed in this form that is aged over 16 has read and understood the above statements and consent to the sharing of information to third parties where “Yes” has been selected.

 

What happens next?

We aim to contact you the next working day and make an appointment with you to assess your needs. A friend or relative can be with you and your application may be placed on our waiting list. If we are unable to help, we will explain why and how you can appeal.

You are offered a flat - what next?

You will be offered a viewing of the flat when you will need to decide if accept the service offer. You will then be asked to;
Read and sign your agreement, provide next of kin details
Complete housing benefit forms if appropriate, Provide ALL necessary proofs of ID
Pay one week rent in advance if not claiming full housing benefit and agree a date for you to collect the keys

Moving in to your new home

Our accommodation is not furnished. You will need to bring with you; 
Furniture, food, bedding, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, towels, toiletries, cleaning materials, 60 watt replacement light bulbs. If you need help in getting together these items, we can put you in touch with agencies who can
Your flat will be cleaned before you move in, after which it is your responsibility to maintain
You will be given a payment card, to pay your rent  which can be used at any post office and retail outlets with Pay point facilities
You will be responsible for paying your own gas, electric and water bills 

Homeless Housing Team

You will have a dedicated support worker who will develop your personal support plan with you to help you take control of your life and ready to move on in the future. 

We will make weekly appointments but these may be more frequent when you first move in. We are available Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.00pm. The support staff are here to offer help and advice – you don’t need to wait for an emergency.

How long can I stay for?

Up to 2 years. This will allow us time to work together and help you through the crisis of becoming homeless. 

What is like living in supported housing? 

Hear from one of our ex-residents of how the service helped them, Demi’s  case study:

Demi was living in supported accommodation for just over a year before moving into her apartment. She didn’t know what to expect, everything was unknown! As much as she was reassured that everything would be fine she still felt uncertain, worried and not comfortable about the whole situation, but it was something she had to go through. 

Demi would like to reassure people out there that it’s not what you assume and it’s the best thing that she could have done! The women who help and support you with everything are amazing and she has become friends with them. Whatever support you need they are just a phone call away or even just to speak to someone if you don’t want to turn to family or friends. 

She has now moved into her own permanent property, which she says “still to this day cannot believe, I ended up in my dream home!” She has friends and their little ones around her who she meets up with, and goes for walks with on the fields nearby. Demi says “I will be forever grateful for where I am today and it wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the ladies who work with people in supported accommodation to help you get where you need to be.” 

Residents Newsletter

Welcome to our winter edition of our Stepping Stones newsletter.