Housing support services
The housing support service is for residents who are experiencing difficulties and may be at risk of losing their homes. The support can help you to manage your home and stay independent. The Housing Team can advise you on the choices available and pass on a referral to the service best able to help you.
What can I get help with?
If you qualify for housing support, the team will provide you with a support plan. This support could help you to:
- maintain your current home, for example, by supporting you to address rent arrears or outstanding debts
- look at housing options if you need to move to a more suitable home
- find employment, training or education
- manage your money, bills and budget, including maximising your income
- understand welfare benefit changes and how they may affect your income
- find out about other organisations that can help and support you
- access practical, social and emotional support
- contact organisations that can provide low cost furniture or essential household items
- find a school and childcare in your area
- find and register with a GP
Housing support does not offer help with household tasks such as cleaning and shopping. If you need this kind of help visit the Staying in your own home pages of the People First website or call Social Service line on 020 7361 3013.
Who qualifies for Housing support?
You will need to have an assessment to see if you qualify. We can arrange an assessment for you if you are:
- aged 16 or over and living in the Royal Borough; or
- aged 16 and over and living in temporary accommodation outside of the borough
and
- you need help to prevent you from losing your home and becoming homeless as a result; or
- you need regular support to stop you from getting into difficulties with the management of your home.
It does not matter whether you own your home or rent it from the Council, a housing association or a private landlord.
How can I access service?
You will need to fill out a referral form, which provides basic details about you and your situation. You can either complete the form yourself or ask someone to complete it for you. This could be a friend or relative, or a professional who works with you such as a social worker, housing officer, GP or other health worker. If someone else completes the form, we will need your consent to refer you to a service.
We aim to contact you within five working days of receiving the referral form to let you know whether you are eligible for one of the housing support services.
If you are eligible, we will work out which service might help you best. We will pass on a referral and the service will contact you to find out more about your needs. This is called an assessment. If they think they can help you, they will draw up a support plan with you.
If you are not eligible, we will advise you of any other services that may be able to help you.
How long does housing support last?
This varies. Once a support plan is agreed, you will begin to work towards meeting the goals set out in the plan. Once this is achieved, the service will end. Some people need ongoing support. If this is identified during the assessment, then it will be arranged. You can choose to end the support service at any time.
How to get in touch
By email: [email protected]