UK Bill Help

Several charities and government authorities in the Tunbridge borough can help the homeless and residents on a low income with housing needs. Some of the solutions include deposit assistance or guarantees for a rent in advance for the currently homeless or people threatened by it. A number of charities also offer assistance, and together, with the council schemes, there are many options available for people threatened by homelessness or that are now sleeping rough in Tunbridge.

Individuals considered in priority need under the government homelessness legislation, they may be eligible for the rent in advance or the deposit guarantee scheme. The funds are used for private homes in the borough, and the property selected needs to be able to be paid by any housing benefit or other income the individual is receiving. If after applying, the council finds the person eligible, they can be issued either a bond or a loan as indicated below.

If a loan is used, it will be interest free and can cover in total up to 10 weeks of a combination of the deposit and rent. A payment plan will need to be agreed to by the borrower with the council. There is flexibility in how this is done, as the tenant can make payments on a regular basis of installments and they can have a maximum of three years to repay the loan. The council will try to work with the individual so they can afford the payment over the 10 weeks.

If both the landlord and tenant agree to it, another form of assistance is the bond guarantee scheme for the deposit. The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will guarantee this deposit for up to six weeks, and it will cover any future rent arrears at the end of the tenancy. Also, if the tenant damages the property, the landlord of the private property can also make a claim against the bond with the Tunbridge council.

The Housing Needs Team from the council can provide more information or help people apply, and the address and telephone is 8 Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2AB, phone 01892 554606.

Other charities that partner with Tunbridge District Council

Individuals that are homeless and need other support can receive help from not-for-profits and charity organisations that are local to the borough. There are several in the area.

Temporary accommodations are provided by the Bridge Trust. The charity offers both shelter, free food, and other aid to the homeless. Another agency that assists with housing is the Crisis Recovery Day Centre (phone 01892 510520), and this location is for substance misusers. Both of the Tunbridge charities can provide support to the homeless while the individual works towards more long term stability or while they apply for the deposit schemes above.

Porchlight is a charity that operates across Kent County. They offer assistance to individuals that are sleeping rough and that do not have shelter or a home. Social workers will try to find lodging, help with employment, and access various schemes for their housing needs.

There are many organisations to turn to for addressing housing problems in the Tunbridge borough. The council or CAB centre can provide referrals to them for those people that are eligible, and the number to call is 01892 554606 for more information.