Mansfield council has announced the launch of an innovative scheme aimed at reducing homelessness by working closely with private landlords. This initiative is specifically designed to assist individuals who are registered as homeless and currently living in temporary accommodation, helping them transition into more stable housing.
Under the scheme, the council will cover the costs of rental deposits as well as the first month’s rent for eligible tenants. This support will alleviate some of the financial pressures that can make it difficult for homeless individuals to secure permanent housing in the private sector. By offering this assistance, the council aims to make renting more accessible to those who are most in need, ensuring that they can find a place to live without the added burden of upfront costs.
Furthermore, the council has partnered with RentGuarantor, a private company that provides an insurance-backed service. This service, which tenants will pay for, is designed to offer landlords added security. Should tenants fall into arrears, the service ensures that landlords are covered for unpaid rent, while also providing protection in the event of legal disputes. This extra layer of security aims to reassure landlords, making them more willing to take on tenants who may have previously been considered high-risk due to their homelessness or financial situation.
By combining financial assistance for tenants with additional security for landlords, the Mansfield council scheme offers a collaborative solution to addressing homelessness in the area. It seeks to create more opportunities for vulnerable individuals to secure long-term housing, while simultaneously making the rental market more accessible and sustainable for all parties involved.
In addition to providing financial assistance, the Mansfield council has outlined a strategy to ensure that tenants benefit from ongoing support throughout the first six months of their tenancy. Under the Private Rented Access Scheme, the council will contact tenants three times during this period to check on their progress. The aim is to ensure that tenants are managing their new living arrangements effectively and to encourage them to make direct rent payments to their landlord. This proactive approach is intended to prevent potential issues and encourage responsibility from tenants right from the start of their tenancy.
The scheme is being funded by a substantial £187,681.44 allocation from the government-funded Homelessness and Prevention Grant. This funding aims to strengthen the council’s efforts in tackling homelessness and providing a sustainable solution for individuals in need of stable housing. The council has emphasised the increasing demand for temporary accommodation and social housing over the past three years, which has led to the need for more frequent use of bed and breakfast accommodation. This rising demand highlights the urgency of finding effective solutions, like the Private Rented Access Scheme, to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families.
Through this scheme, the council facilitates an arrangement where private landlords rent their properties directly to applicants. The tenancy agreement is made between the landlord and the tenant, ensuring that both parties have clear responsibilities and expectations. This model aims to provide more stable housing options for homeless individuals while also helping to ease the pressure on the council’s temporary accommodation resources.
As part of the initiative, all properties included in the Private Rented Access Scheme will undergo thorough checks by the council. These inspections are crucial to ensuring that the homes are safe, secure, and suitable for tenants. This careful vetting process aims to maximise the likelihood of a successful tenancy, providing both landlords and tenants with peace of mind.
Currently, the Mansfield district is facing significant pressure on its housing resources. There are 38 households in interim accommodation awaiting permanent homes, and the housing waiting list is at 4,598, with 173 individuals placed in Band One – the highest priority category. These figures highlight the urgent need for alternative solutions, such as the Private Rented Access Scheme, to address the demand for housing.
The scheme is set to run as a pilot project for one year, with the possibility of an extension if it proves successful. The pilot will help assess the effectiveness of the initiative and whether it can be expanded to accommodate more individuals in need of housing.
A spokesperson for the local authority explains that private landlords are often reluctant to let to homeless individuals or families. A key barrier for many on the waiting list is the difficulty of raising the funds required for a rental deposit. Additionally, the way Universal Credit pays benefits in arrears creates further challenges, particularly when it comes to paying the first month’s rent in advance. This leaves many people in a difficult position, unable to secure private rented accommodation despite their urgent housing needs.
The Private Rented Access Scheme aims to create successful, long-term tenancies by working closely with landlords. According to the spokesperson, the initiative will support a wide range of homeless individuals, from single people to families, offering them an opportunity to secure stable housing.
While the council would prefer to see more council homes built to address the demand, they acknowledge that it takes time to construct new properties. As such, the focus is on providing immediate housing solutions for those in need, rather than waiting for years for new developments to become available.
However, the scheme may not be suitable for everyone on the council’s waiting list. Despite this, the spokesperson is optimistic that, with the support of private landlords, the initiative can help a significant number of people and ultimately reduce the long waiting times for council homes.