Deposit and housing help in Tower Hamlets borough

Individuals with a local connection to Tower Hamlets can receive assistance with their housing problems from the council and charities such as Providence Row. The organisations work with the homeless, families on a low income and other people in an effort to resettle them or prevent homelessness.

An aim is to help people pay the deposit on a new, private accommodation. The groups also address the cause of the hardship as well, such as unemployment or excessive debt arrears that the individual may owe.

Aid for deposits or rent

There is a rent deposit scheme provided by the Tower Hamlets Council. In some cases, there may also be funds available for paying a portion of any rent in advance that may be owed to the landlord of the private rented sector home or flat. The scheme is focused on families with children or pregnant women. They will take priority when it comes to any help that may be available. More information can provided by ringing 02073 647474.

Another programme for people without money to look into is a budgeting loan. Applications need to go to the DWP – Department of Work and Pensions. Eligible individuals will be able to receive help with paying a deposit or rent in advance that is owed, and up to 4 weeks of costs can be covered by the loan. For enquires, people can ring or stop by the DWP or they can call a Jobcentre Plus centre.

DWP will make all decisions on whether someone from Tower Hamlets borough is qualified for a loan or not. It is usually for people that are on the Job Seeker’s Allowance or some form of Income Support, and there are no guarantees of support.

Resettlement help is also provided in some instances. If an individual needs to leave Tower Hamlets, they can receive advice on locating a new home in England or somewhere else in London. There is also help in applying for housing benefits and free advice on the letting process in the new area. The council may also be able to still enroll these individuals into the rent deposit scheme or provide some other form of financial aid. This will always be at the discretion of the council though, and the aid is not always available. To make enquires, the address is Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG.

Ongoing tenancy support is also usually provided by any charity in London or even the Tower Hamlets Council. This may last for up to 6 months, and individuals can get help with budgeting, income maximization, addressing any rent arrears and other support. The aim is to prevent homelessness from occurring in the future.

Housing services from charities

There are other homeless and housing support programmes in Tower Hamlets borough. They include shared accommodations. This is for people without money for rent and that don’t qualify for any schemes or loans. They will usually need to share a room, but this can be better than being homeless or sleeping rough. It provided time for the individual to save money for the deposit that is needed for their own accommodations. The Albert Jacob House has more information, and the phone is 020 7364 7474.

The homeless in Tower Hamlets can also call Providence Row at 020 7375 0020. This charity has advice for the vulnerable as well as the homeless. Clients of the charity can get referrals to temporary accommodations or help applying for housing benefits or other aid. They operate an advice centre at 82 Wentworth Street, London, E1 7SA, and individuals can drop in.