The KSH/SCDC Single Peoples Home Finding Project 1 13/08/2013 Jo - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

13/08/2013 Jo Davis 1

The KSH/SCDC Single People’s Home Finding Project

13/08/2013 Jo Davis 2

(Previously) funded by….. Now funded solely by

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KSH/SCDC Single People’s Home Finding Project -

• rigins

 Funded by SCDC and Crisis for 12 months

initially from April 2012

 Funded by SCDC from April 2013  Managed by King Street Housing Society  Aim: to help single non-priority homeless

households access sustainable accommodation in the Private Rented Sector

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Challenges facing the Single People’s Home Finding Project

 LHA restricted to Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR)

for single people under 35 years old from January 2012

 SAR = 64% of 1 bedroom rate = £332.15pcm (April

2013)

 1 bedroom rate (over 35s only) = £520pcm  Shortage of shared accommodation especially in

SCDC area

 Single room in a shared house in Cambridge typically

costs from £475pcm upwards

Challenges facing the Single People’s Home Finding Project

• Letting Agency Admin fees typically £200
• Many shared houses specify ‘Working only’,

‘Professional only’

• Lots of competition for places
• Landlord concerns about young people
• Lack of professionalism/understanding among some

private landlords

• Navigating the Housing Benefit system –

inconsistencies between councils

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KSH/SCDC Single People’s Home Finding Project – how it works

• Single person approaches SCDC for help

finding accommodation

• Non-priority referred to Homefinder
• In-depth interview to assess needs, risks,

vulnerability, budget etc.

• References taken
• Options discussed……

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Tenancy Sustainment

• 1 month, 3 month and 6 month tenancy

health checks

• Resolving problems between tenants and

landlords

• Arranging alternative accommodation where

placement turns out to be unsuitable

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Lodgings

Statistics

• The Scheme has made 13 Lodging placements
• 11 male/ 2 female Lodger
• The average age of a Lodger placement is 26
• Lodgers’ income : 5 full time employed, 2 part -time

employed, 6 unemployed

• Only 3 placements have been into SCDC stock (all 3

landlords work full time i.e. not affected by Bedroom Tax) However interest is now starting to be shown.

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Advantages

• Affordable accommodation
• Benefits the Landlord from

additional income

• Companionship
• A good initiation for the younger

lodger for independent living.

• No Admin Fees
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• Aids with the bed room tax
• Less discrimination from landlords

against young people, non-working etc.

• Basic accommodation and reduced

responsibility for lodgers

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Stakeholder feedback

Thank you so much for all your help and everything you have done for me. You’re a star and I am very

• grateful. Please always

pop in for a cuppa whenever you pass. Louise Meadowcroft (July 2013)

…..Joanne and her team provide this with an element

• f utmost professionalism and

respect for both the client and the prospective landlord - of which I am one. As a result, King Street clients manage to secure housing which is a first step towards them getting back on their feet and looking for employment…..

• Dr. Sudesh Sangray

(2013)

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The Challenges of Lodgings Placements

• Finding placements that will accept LHA
• Negotiating with the Benefits Department
• Marrying up potential placements and lodgers
• Encouraging the use of official lodgings

agreements

• Agreeing the boundaries and house rules and

them being adhered to

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The Challenges of Lodgings Placements

• Placement sustainment – lack of floating

support

• Safeguarding SCDC Deposits
• Encouraging Social housing tenants to take in

lodgers due to fear of a loss of income or threat of eviction (fear that letting a room out could mean them being in breach of their tenancy)

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Liability

It is important to clearly state that you are acting as a coordinator not as an agent in the placements process. Your Organisation should produce its own lodgings agreement which should clearly state that neither you as the coordinator or the organisation you are representing are liable in regards to the

• placement. You are merely offering support and

guidance through the process.

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Developing the lodging scheme

• Advertising to landlords
• Standard landlord and tenant profiles
• Web-based register – via HomeLink?
• Information to social tenants – rights, impact
• n benefits etc.
• Closer working with council housing

management staff

• Supporting landlords and tenants

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Top Tips

• Always complete a thorough assessment ,

covering risks and needs.

• Produce your own Lodgings Agreement
• Always visit the property
• Work with the LA’s to have the LHA paid

directly to the landlord - this acts as an incentive.

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• Create personal profiles
• Make it clear that neither you or the
• rganisation you are representing are liable
• r responsible for the placement
• Have a strategy in case of a placement break

down

• Provide basic aftercare in regards to a ‘light’

floating support service

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Thank You

Contact Details

Joanne.davis@kingstreeths.org.uk 07867 397721 01223 312294

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