Categories Of Services
Housing Advice
The Housing Options Service
A crucial component of the new ethos of homelessness work is the 'housing options' approach. This involves a standard procedure whereby all new housing applicants participate in an initial interview to review their housing circumstances adn prospects.
The aim is to discuss, in detail, the feasibility of securing the applicant's existing accommodation or, failing that, to examine the full range of possible routes to accessing a new tenancy.
The Housing Options approach recognises the limited scale of social housing resources. It avoids any initial assumptions that a social rented tenancy is necessarily the most appropriate solution for the household concerned.
Source: Communities and Local Government - Homelessness Prevention - a guide to good practice
Our Vision - To reduce homelessness, avoid the use of bed and breakfast and improve the quality of life for people who are, will be or have been homeless.
Our focus is to prevent homelessness occuring through a range of initiatives as well as tackling the wider causes of homelessness through strengthening partnerships with other agencies and sharing needs data.
Source: Bedford Borough Council - A Place Called Home - Homelessness Strategy 2007-2010
The Homelessness statistics confirm that locally, as well as nationally, the three main reasons for homelessness are:
Friends / Family evicting Relationship Breakdown Ending of a private rented sector tenancy Options Advice
Our drop in service is open from 9am to 12.45pm (Monday - Thursday) and 10am - 12.45pm (Friday) all visitors are interviewed by a Housing options Officer who registers their details on our database and reviews their housing circumstances.
The Housing Options Officers offers advice and guidance with regards to options available to them, such as:-
How to apply for Social Housing How to access Local Hostels, Night Shelter and Day Centres Applying for Housing Benefit How to access the Private Rented Sector Applying for assistance through our Rent Deposit Scheme Identifying adn referring cases to a Senior Officer for assistance with homelessness prevention. Referral to bpha (Bedford Pilgrims Housing Association) for a home visit Refferal to bpha for a homelessness application Information about accessing low cost home ownership.
Did you know...During the financial year 2006/2007 4961 people visited our Service.Homelessness Prevention
Where it is identified that homelessness could be prevented an appointment is made for a client to see one of our Senior Homelessness Prevention Officers during our appointments sessions held between 1pm to 4pm Monday - Friday.
The Senior Homelessness Prevention Officers are able to assist with:
Liasion with Landlords where a notice to quit has been served Assistance with maximising entitlement to Housing Benefit Court Representation Sanctuary Scheme for victims of Domestic Violence who choose to remain in their homes Legal Advice and action where appropriate for cases of illegal eviction adn harassment Signposting to other organisations Spend to Save fund to make best use of resource for preventing homelessness adn reduce the use of temporary accommodation and Bed & Breakfast.
Did you know...During the financial year 2006/2007 we prevented 227 cases of homelessness 102 of which were as a direct result of our Senior Homelessness Prevention Officers intervention.
For more information about homelessness please click here.
Rent Deposit Scheme
One of our key tools for preventing homelessness is our Rent Deposit Scheme.
The scheme offers assistance with enabling people in housing need and on low incomes to access the Private Rented Sector.
This not only prevents homelessness but also makes good use of empty property.
We are able to offer:
Access to decent and affordable private rented properties One months rent deposit guarantee A loan to meet demands for rent in advance payments where applicable On-going tenancy resettlement support Assistance with handling claims for Housing Benefit and payment of rent On-going Tenant and Landlord liasion Did you know...Since the launch of the new Rent Deposit Scheme in April 2005 we have created 294 tenancies, 176 of which were for households in priority need who the Council would otherwise have a duty to re-house.
Tenant and Landlord Advice
We are not just there to provide advice and assistance to those who are, will be or have been homeless.
The Housing Options team can also give advice to people with a general housing related query.
For example:
Private Sector Landlords seeking general advice with regards to legislation and tenancy best practice General enquiries from tenants seeing advice about their rights and responsibilities. What to look out for when starting a new tenancy How to access advice adn assistance with home improvements. Did you know...The housing Options Team produces a quarterly Ladlords Newsletter which keeps Landlords informed of new and changing legislation and good practice tips.
Partnership Working
The Housing Options Service has developed effective links with other agencies and organisations in order to improve the quality of life for people who are, will be or have been homeless.
It is vital that partnership mechanisms remain focussed on delivery and are structured to achieve tangible outcomes.
We have partnership arrangements with the following organisations:
Children and Young Persons Strategic Partnership Crime Reduction Partnership Local Safeguarding Children's Board Bedford Partnerships Board Domestic Violence Partnership Domestic Violence Strategy Implementation Group Domestic Violence Forum Diversity Network Bedfordshire Housing Association Forum Sub-regional Homelessness Task Group Private Sector Renewal Group Intermediate Tenure Working Group Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Group B&ME Forum Bedford Housing Association Liaison Group Bedfordshire Supported Housing Forum Rough Sleepers Task Group Vulnerable Offenders Working Group Bedford Advice Forum Housing Benefit Liaison Group Multi-Agency Forum - People from Abroad Supporting People Commissioning Body Supporting People Provider Forum Supporting People working group - floating support Supporting People working group - Single Assessment Framework Multi Agency Protection Panel Strategic Management Board
Working Together with bphaIn accordance with the legislation, where the Housing Options Officer of Senior Homelessness Prevention Officer has reason to believe that an applicant may be homeless of threatened with homelessness, a formal Housing Act Part VII assessment is initiated. Under the housing options approach, the procedure for households likely to be eligilble and in priority need for homelessness assistance is now operated as a two-stage process, with options and prevention considered first, but with safeguards in place where a person eligible for and requires assistance under homelessness legislation.
Where an assessment is triggered through a housing options interview all possible measures to prevent actual homelessness are undertaken in parallel with this.
In 2000 bpha entered into a contract to carry out the homelessness application, decision, review and provision of temporary accommodation function on behalf of Bedford Borough Council.
This new approach has resulted in a strengthened Housing Options Service and since 2002/03 a reduced caseload for homelessness assessment officers. Alongside this bpha's re-housing times from temporary to permanent accommodation has been a significant factor in assisting the Council with meeting its target of no households in bed & breakfast accommodation.
Did you know...During the financial year 2006/2007 475 homelessness aplpications were taken, 285 of which were accepted for permanent re-housing.
Bedford Borough Council has reported continuous nil use of B&B since November 2003.
For further information click on the link below to download the Housing Advice leaflet.
Worried about your motgage?
Get advice now.
If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, or you think it will be difficult to pay more when your fixed-rate deal comes to an end soon, act now to stop your situation becoming worse.
Download the document below for more information.
Age Concern - Bedfordshire
Age Concern in Bedfordshire run a 'handyman' service which does some small adaptations at the request of social services. For more information please click here to look at Age Concern's website.
Applying to a Housing Association for Rented Accommodation
Details of what is available and where to apply are shown on the Housing Associations page. Please click on the link below to view this page. The policy in respect of Council priorities and eligibility for rehousing are shown on the Strategies and Policies page.
Applying to a Housing Association
Applying for Housing Association Tenancy
Application forms for the Joint Housing Register are available from BPHA or the Council's Housing Advice Service at the Town Hall. Applications can be made direct to any of the other Housing Associations operating in the Borough. Housing Association tenants seeking a transfer should first contact their own HA. Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (BPHA) is the main provider of rented housing in the Borough and deals with all nominations to other Housing Associations on behalf of the Council through the Bedford Borough Joint Housing Register. The Joint Housing Register is operated by BPHA through an agreement with the Council.
Hostels and Nightshelters
There are various forms of temporary accommodation available for you to stay in. There are a number of hostels in Bedford and we have the widest range of hostel provision in Bedfordshire. If you require more information then please contact the Housing Advice department by email at HousingAdvice@bedford.gov.uk
Harassment & Illegal Eviction
To evict someone from a privately rented property that they have a legal right to occupy without following the legal processes is illegal. To deliberately harass someone who has a legal right to occupy a property with intent to force them to leave the property is also illegal.
Finding Private Rented Accommodation
Bedford has a varied supply of private rented housing most of which is managed by Residential Letting Agents. The local weekly newspapers have details weekly of available properties and the Housing Advice Service can also assist with finding accommodation. If you cannot afford to pay rent you may be eligible for Housing Benefit. Click on the following link for more information about Housing Benefit. Housing Benefit website
Letting Rooms in You Home
Letting rooms in your home brings you financial benefits as well as helping someone who otherwise may become homeless. By letting rooms in your home, you offer the minimum security that can be offered in the private sector and still retain control over your home.
Security of Tenure
When renting a home there are a range of tenancies which give different rights (or protection) for both the landlord and the tenant. The most common tenures that occur are listed (CHFD). Further information is available to help both parties assess what type of tenancy has been created, or is likely to be created in renting the property.
Local Solicitors
Local solicitors offer a wide range of services and some have obtained the Community Legal Services Quality Mark. Housing Advice can provide a list of Local Solicitors.
HousingAdvice@bedford.gov.uk
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Homelessness
Housing Grants
Housing Advice
Empty Homes
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