East Ayrshire housing assistance from rent and deposit schemes

There are three different centres in East Ayrshire that can provide advice to prospective tenants or the homeless, and there is also financial aid for a deposit from CHAP. Other assistance can be provided by a local hostel. The organisations can help the vulnerable or individuals seeking a new accommodation in both locating a home as well as paying a rent deposit payment for the new private accommodation.

With the demand very high for social housing in East Ayrshire, and the lack of accommodations, many people are seeking accommodations in the private sector. In some cases, they may need to find emergency accommodation in a shelter or the local hostel, which is run in partnership with the council. The main solutions for people seeking a tenancy or those facing poverty in East Ayrshire are below.

The Housing Options Team at the East Ayrshire Council can provide advice to landlords, the homeless, as well as council tenants. The centre does not run any schemes for a deposit, and that is provided by CHAP. But the specialists from the council do have information and referrals for the general public.

People can get information on, and apply for, programmes such as the government housing benefit, which can be used to pay future rent. The East Ayrshire Council also has information on assistance to other services for families facing poverty, even including free foodbanks, clothing centres, and more. The address is 16 College Wynd, Kilmarnock, KA1 1HN. Telephone 01563 554554.

The Community Housing Advocacy Project is also known as CHAP. They run the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme for the local council, as noted above. So individuals, or couple with children, that need assistance in making the payment on their housing can call or drop in at this organization, and the address is 71 Princes Street, Ardrossan, Ayrshire.

The staff will help people apply for the DiGS schemes, and also provide support for other housing issues. There is help for both the homeless and vulnerable in Ayrshire. Applicants can call 01294 475636 to talk to a specialist at CHAT, or learn more on the CHAT Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The council also partners with a Kilmarnock charity known as Blue Triangle to operate a hostel. This will provide temporary accommodations for the currently homeless, and each person will be given their own private room. However due to demand some people may be put into shared housing at the site. The client will also partner with a key worker to address the cause of their hardship, such as employment. People moving on from the hostel will get help in applying to CHAT for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Referrals are needed to Blue Triangle, but the hostel can be ringed at 01563 520144.

East Ayrshire office of Shelter provides services in the community. They are part of the national charity network, and the aim is to help the homelessness and families with housing problems. The helpline for information is 0808 800 4444. Specialists from Shelter will take an assessment over the phone and provide advice. If the person needs more assistance, or referrals to rent or deposit schemes in Ayrshire, then Shelter can provide that as well. However they do not have their own funds to provide to users of their service.