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The vulnerable in Hampshire can ring the E C Roberts Centre for assistance with housing needs. The organisation runs many of their own programmes, such as Tenancy Support, and also partner with authorities such as the Portsmouth City Housing Service in an effort to help families on a low income.

Addressing a housing problem is a key aim, but staff from the centre will also assist with the root cause of the struggles. Social workers will meet with tenants and not only help them apply for rent assistance from the local council’s discretionary payment programme, but also discuss employment and other debt problems. All issues will be tackled, even more complex ones such as managing money or lack of education. All of this is done to help people achieve a positive income.

The services from E C Roberts Centre are offered across Hampshire County. Many of the clients are from the cities of Portsmouth or Southampton. The organisation also assists people that are local to Havant, Aldershot, as well as Gosport.

The homeless and people facing eviction can be placed into Temporary Accommodation. This is one of the schemes that is offered by the centre as well as Portsmouth City Housing Service. It is limited to those with no other lodging available to them.

Applicants that are approved by the Portsmouth City council will be placed into a flat. They will also work with a resettlement worker from Roberts Centre. This individual will give the tenant advice and make sure they are working towards goals. This is done until the tenant can move on to more permanent, affordable accommodations.

An action plan will be created for people in the Temporary Accommodation. It will address budgeting and maximising income. Other assistance is for completing forms to benefits claims and any other local schemes that may help either with rent or a deposit.

Supported Housing is run by E C Roberts Centre and others that are part of a Multi Agency. The groups work together to help families live independently. Teams will help increase people’s skills and education so they can maintain tenancies over time and achieve independent living.

The Portsmouth City Council owns and managed properties, and the vulnerable will move into them. They will get help with rental costs from bond guarantees, and once they move into the home they will benefit from other support. This will include Budgeting, Home Management, Parenting skills, and even how to deal with Neighbour Issues. The home is provided, as well as ongoing advice, for up to two years, if it is needed.

Tenancy Support is for current renters, and it will help them maintain their agreement. The scheme is only for families with children or pregnant women that are local to Havant or Portsmouth. Clients can benefit from budgeting support to pay rent arrears, advice on completing housing benefit applications, and even health care from a GP. Also, the tenant support from E C Roberts Centre will help clients find some type of employment in Hampshire.

Tenants on the verge of homeless may also enroll into the FIP, Family Intervention Project. This is both for people on a low income as well as those with a one off crisis. FIP can also help tenants with complex needs, such as Anti-Social Behavior.

Keyworkers from E C Roberts Centre will asses the applicants needs and living situations. Based on the results, one on one support is offered as part of FIP. There will be regular meetings help, and signposting will be given to people if they have a mental issue or disability that can’t be addressed on their own.

There are many other services available from the Roberts Centre. They include BOOST, which is for young people leaving care, and referrals. There are also shelters in Hampshire and many other housing programmes. For more information, the address is 84 Crasswell Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1HT, and people can call 023 9229 6919.