January 31, 2025 1:38 pm

Insert Lead Generation
Nikka Sulton

Mansfield Council has introduced a new and innovative scheme to assist the homeless by helping them secure private rental properties. The initiative is aimed at those who are currently registered as homeless and living in temporary accommodation, providing a pathway to stable housing through the private rental market.

As part of this initiative, the council will offer financial assistance to ease the burden of moving into a new rental property. This includes funding deposits and covering the first month’s rent, which can often be a major obstacle for individuals trying to secure housing. The aim is to remove financial barriers and support people in need, ensuring that they have the opportunity to settle into permanent homes.

The council’s programme also involves a partnership with RentGuarantor, a private company offering an insurance-backed service that acts as a safety net for landlords. This service ensures that landlords are protected against potential rental payment issues. The cost of the service is covered by the tenants, but it provides peace of mind for landlords, making them more likely to accept tenants who are receiving council support.

This approach is a significant step towards addressing homelessness by directly engaging with the private sector. It creates a mutually beneficial arrangement where both tenants and landlords can feel secure in their commitments, ultimately contributing to the long-term goal of reducing homelessness in the area. The scheme’s success could serve as a model for other councils facing similar challenges with housing availability for vulnerable populations.

A statement from the council outlines that the initiative aims to provide additional security for landlords. Specifically, it assures landlords that they will be covered for rent and legal proceedings if a tenant falls into arrears. This added protection is part of the council’s broader effort to make the scheme more attractive to private landlords, who might otherwise be hesitant to rent to tenants with uncertain rental histories.

To further support the tenants, the council has committed to keeping in regular contact with those housed through the Private Rented Access Scheme. In the first six months of their tenancy, tenants will be contacted three times to check on how they are managing their new living situation. The goal is to encourage tenants to make direct rent payments to their landlords, which can help establish a more stable and secure tenancy for all parties involved.

The scheme itself is being funded through a government grant of over £180,000, which comes from the Homelessness and Prevention Grant. This funding is essential for the council to manage and sustain the programme, as it helps cover the costs associated with supporting tenants and working with private landlords.

Under the Private Rented Access Scheme, the arrangement between landlords and tenants is straightforward: the landlord rents their property directly to the applicant. The tenancy agreement is made between the landlord and the tenant, ensuring that the process is transparent and that both parties are aware of their responsibilities from the outset. This clear structure is designed to make the transition into stable housing as smooth as possible for the individuals involved.

All the properties included in the scheme will undergo a thorough inspection by the council to ensure they meet safety, security, and suitability standards. This step is essential to give tenants the best chance of success in their new homes. By ensuring that only properties that meet the required criteria are included, the council aims to reduce the risk of tenancy issues and make the transition to permanent housing smoother for homeless individuals and families.

Currently, in the Mansfield district, there are 38 households living in interim accommodation while they wait for permanent homes. In addition, there are 4,598 people on the housing waiting list, with 173 being placed in Band One, the highest priority category. This reflects the growing pressure on the local housing system, with demand for both temporary accommodation and permanent homes outstripping supply.

The council has observed a significant increase in the past three years in the demand for temporary accommodation and social housing for homeless people. This surge in demand has made it more difficult for the council to secure long-term housing solutions for those in need. As a result, the council has had to rely more heavily on using bed and breakfast accommodation as a stopgap measure, which is far from ideal for families and individuals in need of stable, long-term housing.

A spokesperson for the council explained that many private landlords are hesitant to rent to homeless individuals and families. The spokesperson also noted that a key barrier for those on the housing waiting list is the difficulty in raising the funds needed for deposits on privately rented properties. Furthermore, many people struggle to pay the first month’s rent in advance due to the way Universal Credit benefits are paid, which is in arrears. This financial gap is another significant obstacle for those looking to secure private rental housing.

The council is optimistic that the Private Rented Access Scheme will not only foster stronger relationships with private landlords but also create successful and sustainable tenancies for homeless individuals and families. This initiative is designed to assist a wide range of people, from single individuals to larger families, who may find it challenging to secure rental properties due to various financial constraints. By providing financial support in the form of deposit payments and first-month rent, the council aims to remove some of the key barriers that prevent homeless people from accessing stable housing.

While the council acknowledges the need for more permanent housing solutions, such as the construction of new council homes, it is clear that this process is time-consuming and cannot meet the immediate needs of those currently on the housing waiting list. The spokesperson emphasised that, in the meantime, the scheme offers a vital lifeline for those who require accommodation without delay. As such, the scheme has been developed with the hope of alleviating the strain on temporary housing services, particularly given the increased demand for social housing in recent years.

Despite the scheme’s potential, it is recognised that it may not be suitable for every individual or family on the waiting list. The council anticipates that not all homeless households will be able to benefit from this initiative due to varying personal circumstances and housing needs. Nevertheless, they are confident that, with the participation of private landlords, the scheme will be able to assist a significant portion of the homeless population, ultimately reducing the number of people who are waiting for a council home.

The spokesperson also made it clear that, while the scheme may not be a comprehensive solution for everyone, it offers a crucial opportunity to provide homeless individuals with safe and secure housing in the short term. By enabling private landlords to engage with the scheme, the council hopes to contribute to the broader goal of reducing homelessness in the community and addressing the housing crisis that many people face. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to provide immediate relief to those in need while continuing to work towards longer-term housing solutions.

 

 

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