UK Bill Help

Tenants that rent their home or flat in the City of Bristol can get help with their housing payments as well as rental arrears. There is assistance for families on a low income that are threatened with homelessness or that are being evicted by their landlord. The support provided includes everything from legal aid to subsidies from Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to charities that may assist with rental arrears on both social and private housing or flats.

In addition to emergency financial help in Bristol, there is also free legal aid from lawyers or solicitors. They can help tenants review a tenancy agreement and ensure a home is safe. The Bristol Council Citizens Advice, and other organisations also direct families on a low income or benefits to rent assistance schemes.

Government help for rent or housing in Bristol

The city council provides help from Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to tenants in Bristol that are impacted by reductions in their benefits. DHP can also help with rental payments for families that are now on the Universal Credit or that were impacted by the bedroom tax. The aim of the government scheme is to provide families on a low income or in poverty with extra help for their housing.

Property owners in the city of Bristol that let private accommodations often charge more in rent than what the benefits, such as Universal Credit, will pay for. For these tenants the council may allow Discretionary Housing Payments to make up for that shortfall. So the gap between the cost of rent and the family’s income is covered by DHP.

Each applications for DHP in Bristol is assessed. If rent help is provided it will depend on the applicant’s income, if they are disabled or not, whether they have debts, and the details of their household budget. The monthly rent that is due for the home also needs to be affordable. The council and government scheme will only offer assistance from Discretionary Payments if the household budget can pay for it over the long term. For housing advice, call the customer support line at 0117 352 6800. The post is Bristol City Council, PO Box 3176, Bristol, BS3 9FS.

Bristol City Council Customer Service Points are located across the area. They are One Stop Centres that help with everything from housing advice for solving tenancy agreement issues to signposting to rent schemes, rehousing, child care, and much more. Clients will have an assessment done, and based on results, housing or other support is given. The locations are as follows.
-Phoenix Court, Bond Street South, Bristol, BS1 3PH, Phone 0117 922 2000.
-Robinson House is at Hockeys Lane, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3HL. Families can ring 0117 922 2000.
-Hartcliffe Advice One Stop service – Symes House, Peterson Square, Hartcliffe, Bristol, BS13 0BD, Phone – 0117 922 2000.
-Southmead House provides free advice on homeless prevention and is an application site for discretionary housing payments for rent. Post is 256 Greystoke Avenue, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 6BQ, ring 0117 922 2000.

Help with rent and housing from charities in Bristol area

Salvation Army Tenancy Support team is at their centre in Logos House, Wade Street, Bristol, BS2 9EL. The charity will help people if their tenancy is about to break down. This includes assisting tenants in arrears with their rent or that have an eviction notice. Up to two years of support for housing, including employment services, is provided. Ring 0117 935 1255, or find more information on Salvation Army services in Bristol.

Legal Services of the City of Bristol can help homeless people with an application for housing schemes. This can include rent help from Housing Benefits or any of the deposit schemes. Lawyers also help tenants on a low income if they are threatened with an illegal eviction by a landlord. There is not any financial aid given, but instead people can get free legal assistance. The post is New Bond House, Bond Street, Bristol, BS2 9AG. The phone is 0344 515 1430.

Signposting to housing services is provided by the Wild Goose Cafe at 32 Stapleton Road. The church operates the programme as a day centre for the homeless and vulnerable. Clients can be given a free hot meal, signposting to emergency accommodations such as hostels and advice in accessing benefits. There is also a clinic and night shelter on site, which serves as a Crisis Centre. Phone – 0117 330 1230.

Second Step is for the mentally or physically disabled. Most of the housing help is from a supportive housing scheme. However the city of Bristol charity can sign post the disabled to rent schemes and other services to stop an eviction. Find more details on housing assistance from Second Step.

Temporary accommodations, including shelters and hostels, as well as support such as food is provided by the Bristol Housing Action Movement. The aim is to stabilize the tenant that is in a crisis. They provide referrals to rent and housing advice organisations in the city of Bristol. The charity is at 34 Old Market Street and the phone is 07833 100399.

Guinness Hermitage does not provide deposit help, but the organisation does help families find affordable homes or flats to live in.  The partnership operates in many parts of the UK, including the city of Bristol. Everything from reduced rent flats to specially managed housing projects are offered which can help a formerly homeless individual gain stability. Find housing schemes from Guinness Hermitage.