Maidstone Borough Council 3


Housing and Advice Team


housing advice and as to residents in the bor ar e homeless or in threa homelessness. Through intervention the Council wil to support residents in pr


ssis ou


cil w n p


ASSISTANCE GUIDANCE ADVICE


can include assisting tenants with rent arrears by negotiating with landlords to agree repayment arrangements; assisting with housing benefit issues; helping tenants maximise their income and advice on reduce their expenditure; and assistance with conciliating a return home in the case of parental, family or friend evictions. If you are in threat of homelessness or eviction please ensure you contact Team as early


their homelessness by exploring a range of housing options. Thes tenants with


se ith


the Housing A dvice Te e


as possible before you reach the point of homelessness.


The team has recently started working with Maidstone Hospital to offer advice and assistance to people who are being discharged


Helping those on the street


“ Just before Christmas we


found out that a joint bid made by Maidstone, Canterbury and TunbridgeWells to the government’s Rough Sleeper Grant Funding pot was successful, meaning that we will be able to


HELP TIPS


The Housing Advic Stephanie Line,Tea Te m Leader


for Discharge Liaison said We


We have recently commenced joint working with Maidstone Borough council to ensure homeless and individuals admitted in to our Tr


Trust with hous


rust with housing concerns are supported on discharge from hospital. Although this does not alwaysr


ys esolve the individuals


concerns there is a link to ensure that they are supported on


discharge where possible. I believe this has enhanced the outcome for many of our patients. In turn having a positive outcome on their long term health and life outcomes. Supporting homeless individuals and people with housing concerns t issue for the health


is an important issue for the health e for the healt from hospital with no home to go to. service and our locall council.


continue our work with people living on the streets as well as those with no fixed address who are in danger of ending up on the street.


This is the second time we have been awarded funding for this kind of work, showing that what we have done so far has been successful and it is fantastic news that we will be able to carry on.


”


Anyone can end up on the street- very few people have a substantial amount of savings, and one event, such as losing a job, a relationship breakdown or a rent increase can have a devastating effect.Working


support residents who are actively seeking their own accommodation in the private rented sector and the team are able to explore options for those who are unable to afford to pay the upfront costs required to secure a property. The Council operates a Homefinder Bond Scheme for eligible applicants in threat of homeless who are unable to afford a cash rent deposit for a property. To find out if you are eligible for a Homefinder Bond please visit http://www.maidstone. gov.uk/residents/housing2/ find-an-affordable-home to make an online application. If you are a landlord who is interested in finding out about our incentive scheme please contact housingadvice@ maidstone.gov.uk


Advice Team can ents who ar ng their own


on in the private and the team plor ar


d to pay the upfr for eligible applic deposit for a pr e eligible for gov entive scheme please maidstone.gov


with a wide range of partners including Maidstone Day Centre, Porchlight and a range of health professionals, we have engaged with over 300 people in the past two years.We have also helped about 100 people find some form of accommodation, whilst helping others move back to another area, often where they have family who can help support them. Of course, finding somewhere to live is only part of the story, so we have also put ongoing support in place for some people, helped some into work and, where needed, helped people to access drug, alcohol and mental health services.


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