Calderdale Smartmove bond guarantee for tenant deposit

Families in individuals on a low income in Calderdale can get help from Smartmove. The charity provides housing services to the homeless and vulnerable, including bond guarantees to pay the rental deposit on a new private rented home. They also partner with landlords that offer social housing and can provide tenants a number of other support services.

Helping individuals and families access either social or private accommodations is an aim of Smartmove. To this end, they administer schemes and provide other aid to individuals on a low income. Also, to address homelessness, specialists from the charity partner with both landlords and tenants to help mediate solutions and match housing to the clients. They will negotiate with landlords, help a prospective tenant find a safe and qualify property to reside in, and offer other support.

The resettlement process from Calderdale Smartmove

Referrals are needed for the deposit scheme, and that can come from in person, phone, or even a local social worker. All people considered housing vulnerable or formerly homeless individuals of Smartmove will be considered clients. They will need to apply for help and go through an assessment process with a specialist. Questions can be asked and more information is provided to the applicant in this process. Based on the results of this assessment, supportive services will be created if needed.

The charity has a number of services they can provide to prospective tenants. The aim is to help people stabilize and move on to a stable home. Specialists from Smartmove partner with other not-for-profit organisations as well as councils and other groups on this task.

Types of assistance and schemes provided

Eligible individuals may be able to take part in one of many services. Depending on the exact scheme they are eligible for, there may be help for paying a deposit, short term accommodations provided, or funds for rent in advance. A number of different programmes are run by the charity.

The client will partner with a housing support worker to create an individual support plan. This will be targeted at the needs of the client, whether it is for rental assistance, job training, food, or mediation. The goals agreed to in the plan will need to be met by the client in order for them to continue to participate in any schemes provided by Smartmove.

Once the goals have been met, the next step of the process is Moving On. This is only for people that have shown the ability to live independently. Specialists from Calderdale SmartMove will help the family with the following.

• Locate a property to move in.
• Get help in applying for government housing benefits to use for paying rent. The advisor will also assist with signposting for employment or other services.
• They can offer the landlord of the property a guarantee of the deposit. Other practical support will be provided in the form of grants to buy furniture and ongoing advice.
• Budgeting workshops and advice on income maximization are provided.
• If the tenant, or someone facing homelessness in Calderdale, has a rent arrears due, the housing specialist will try to mediate a solution with the landlord.
• A drop in centre is always available to all individuals and families. This will provide referrals as well as advice to clients.

Landlords will also benefit from the Calderdale Smartmove service. They can use the bond guarantee so that they know any rent due from the tenant will be covered. This also reduces their risk when renting to say an unemployed or formerly homeless person.

The tenants who come through the Smartmove process will also be receiving ongoing advice and support from a social worker, so the landlord has someone to turn to if there are problems. Most of the individuals will be on a low income and receive a housing benefit, and this can be used to pay the rent on time. So the landlord can be sure of that too.

Job training and placement services

Tenants will be able to get help with finding employment or attending training. This is provided from work clubs, and the charity will allow people to use a computer for creating a CV. They can build confidence and new skills for prospective employers in the area. These increased skills will also help achieve housing stability over the long term. They can also use the internet to search for jobs or to take computer classes. All of these services are located at a centre which is at Horton Street HX1 1QE in Halifax.

The aim of Calderdale Smartmove is to resettle the homeless and prevent it from occurring in the future. They guarantee bonds for deposits, arrange accommodations, and much more. So the charity provides many different services in an effort to make this happen. The office is at 9 Portland Place, Halifax HX1 2JQ. Specialists can be called at 01422 361515 for those that need a referral.