Homelessness charity Thames Reach is working with Greenwich and Lewisham Councils to help people find homes.
In Greenwich a £40,000 project will work closely with the local authority to broaden access to shared properties in the private rented sector for homeless people. It will target 18-35 year olds who can not afford self-contained flats as a result of new housing benefit restrictions and changes to the local housing allowance – from 2012 single people under 35 will only be paid the shared room rate rather than the rate for a self-contained flat.
The Lewisham project is a £40,000 initiative being undertaken with the local authority which will help people move on from hostels and supported housing schemes or divert them away from this type of accommodation into more suitable housing.
It is intended to help people move on with their lives by both finding them private rented sector properties and supporting them in their new homes. This will free up spaces in hostels and supported housing for other vulnerable homeless people and make more effective use of available resources.
The project builds on an existing scheme, run by Lewisham Council and Thames Reach, where single vulnerable people are placed into the private rented sector to divert them from a supported placement, preventing homelessness. The service will also have a focus on obtaining flat-share accommodation for 25-35 year olds who will no longer be able to access self-contained accommodation.
Both projects are funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government and are part of the Crisis Private Rented Sector Access Development Programme.
Bill Tidnam, Thames Reach’s Director of Housing and Community Support, said: “We’re really happy to build on the work that we have already done with Lewisham and Greenwich by helping homeless people quickly into accommodation where they can get on with their lives. All of us recognise that homelessness is a damaging experience and these schemes will help people who might otherwise be forced on to the streets by giving real help where and when they need it.”
Councillor Steve Offord, Greenwich Cabinet Member for Housing said: “Greenwich Council is pleased to be involved in this project to help tackle the significant and growing shortage of decent and affordable accommodation for single homeless people. Housing benefit changes mean that many more people will need this type of housing support, so I encourage interested landlords to speak to us and sign up to this important scheme.”
Councillor Susan Wise, Lewisham Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: "People who have been homeless can find it incredibly difficult to access housing. This joint agency project with Thames Reach means that people can get out of hostels and into a home they can actually call their own."
Crisis Chief Executive Leslie Morphy said: “Most single homeless people have little chance of acquiring council accommodation and finding a flat in the private rented sector can be a complex and expensive option. They need advice and help, but in many areas of the country, these specialist services are simply not there.”
“Crisis asked local voluntary organisations to bid for these new funds so that we can kick-start the establishment of new private rented sector access schemes. These schemes will help people overcome financial barriers, match them to good landlords and help more individuals avoid the perils of homelessness.”
People at risk of homelessness in Greenwich should phone 020 8921 2863. People at risk of homelessness in Lewisham should contact SHIP on 020 8314 3020.
Landlords in the Greenwich area with spare rooms who want to take part in the project should contact Serge Soric on 020 8921 2533 or serge.soric@greenwich.gov.uk
Landlords in the Lewisham area with spare rooms who want to take part in the project should contact Kemi Osomo 020 8314 7683 or kemi.osomo@lewisham.go.uk
