Assistance from Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme

In operation for over 15 years, individuals on a low income that are local to Wakefield district can get help with a rent deposit from a not-for-profit scheme. The council partners with agencies, such as Wakefield Cathedral as well as Supporting People (SP), to assist the homeless as well as low income individuals with deposits on private sector housing.

The scheme is known as WRDS. It will provide the landlord a bond on behalf of the prospective tenant and the funds will be applied to the deposit that is due. Another service provided will be ongoing support and advice. The team in Wakefield think that this support is key to reducing homelessness in the district. The aim of this is to stop the family from being evicted again in the future.

Applicants need to be single. There is not deposit help for families with children. Also, all people applying for a bond need to be either on benefits or a low income. There is also only financial help for a tenant that is threatened with an eviction (as the council will help them move into a new home) or deposit assistance is for the currently homeless. So there are various eligibility criteria that need to be met.

The Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme can also be combined with other assistance programmes. Or if someone is not eligible for a bond, then these other resources may be a better option for them. One of the other services is First Rung, and this is for young people under the age of 25. The council will work with them to keep them housed and off the streets.

Rough sleepers can also get help. There is an individual assigned to working with them on stability. If someone is discovered in the district then they will receive various forms of practical as well as housing support. This can include signposting to WRDS, placement into hostels, or hot meals as well. A social worker from the main council office is focused on rough sleepers.

Components of deposit scheme

There is of course the bond which will help pay the deposit on private sector housing. While the family needs to find there own flat to live in, there is also information on which landlords may agree to this form of payment. It is important to note that a tenancy agreement should never be entered into before the authorities have agreed to enter the person into the scheme.

WRDS also includes post tenancy support. This will ensure the tenant, whether formerly homeless or not, gets the assistance they may need for maintaining the property. All challenges that the person has can be assessed, whether employment, credit issues, or others. The aim is to ensure that any bond issued for paying the deposit is done so in good faith to both protect the landlord and tenant.

In some cases, the team that run the Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme may use outside agencies to provide support as well. When needed, referrals can be made to any local charity for other forms of assistance. So all of the aid is provided in partnership with other organisations.

The Wakefield district office to apply at is located at 3rd Floor, Queens House, Queens Row, Market Street, WF1 1D. For more information, the phone number is 01924 304575.