Bracknell Forest housing assistance and deposit schemes

The low income and homeless in Bracknell Forest can get assistance with their housing problems from the council. The government provides a number of services to those threatened with homelessness or evictions, and they also offer deposit help to people seeking new accommodations. In addition, many other services are provided to families on a low income.

All of the assistance in the borough is the responsibility of the Housing Option team. This government agency will provide assessments of applicants and also interview those that are seeking help and that have a local connection to the borough. Based on the results of this, they will assist residents with applying for benefits or some type of scheme. Or if the council can’t assist, then referrals will be provided to other programmes or charities that are local to the Bracknell Forest area.

The council will always try to provide some type of accommodation or financial aid to residents, and in fact it is their legal responsibility per the central government Housing Act. Applicants need to meet many conditions in order to receive help, but if they do, the council will assist.

Most of the support is for people that are in priority need or that are now homeless. There is also assistance for the vulnerable, such as people with a disability or women fleeing from domestic violence. The Housing Option team can provide applicants with a local connection more information on these conditions as part of the assessment process that applicants will go through.

Types of housing schemes in Bracknell Forest

Help with a deposit is provided by a bond being issued to prospective tenants. This Bracknell Forest scheme will only be for landlords of private rented housing that agree to participate. Also, the home to be let also needs to be approved by the council, and no tenancy agreement should be entered into until the council approves it.

Since funds are limited and the bond guarantee will not be offered to all people, the council will give priority to the currently homeless or people threatened by evictions and that need to be resettled. The deposit scheme will also more likely assist people in priority need as defined by the housing act.

If the applicant is found to eligible from the housing options team assessment process, then the bond will be provided to them and their landlord, and it will cover the deposit if it is up to one month of rent costs. Will there can be exceptions made by the Bracknell Forest on the amount of rent it can cover, this is not common.

Resettlement schemes are available for single people. The priority is on those from the borough that are threatened with an eviction, and it can help the vulnerable too or tenants that can’t afford their rent. Many of the clients have a disability or maybe a mental health problem. Others that need to resettle may be ex-offenders or the elderly that are living in poverty.

The Housing Options Team will provide an assessment of all applications for either a bond or the resettlement services. If someone is not qualified, then they will try to refer them to other solutions. Other support provided by the Bracknell Forest team include help in locating accommodations, applications for financial assistance, and signposting to charity schemes.

For more information on services, the Housing Options Team at the Bracknell Forest Council is at the office and the post is Time Square, Market Street, RG12 1JD. Call 01344 352009.