UK Bill Help

Residents of South West England who cannot afford to pay market rent prices may find an affordable option by going through Guinness Hermitage. The national organisation covers the entire area, including Bristol, Gloucester, and nearby cities.

As rent prices increase and wages remain flat, it is getting harder for working class individuals and families to afford to pay the normal rent prices in their community. Everyone is getting squeezed, and utility price increases aren’t helping either. The need for affordable flats may be greater than ever.

This is where Guinness Hermitage can step in to provide more affordable rental options. This is the regional division of the Guinness Partnership, one of the leading providers of affordable housing throughout the UK. The team work with private landlords and social housing programmes to place people into a home. They also often have linkage to council rent deposit schemes, and there is support with applying for assistance.

As a social aid organisation, Guinness Hermitage takes a step-wise approach to helping each household become stable and work towards increased self-sufficiency.  So they try to get families as well as the vulnerable into a home, and keep them there. This is why referrals to local rent deposit schemes may also be available from Guinness. There are four primary programmes operated by the agency to accomplish these goals.

• Sheltered/supported housing: Those who are most vulnerable to economic challenges may find it easier to live in one of the specially managed housing projects. Many people are unable to work or are earning very low income. This could be due to retirement, disability, family situations and economic challenges. This is the most basic level of support which covers the needs of the most needy residents living in South West England.
• Reduced rent housing: Many households find that they could afford to live independently if only the rent prices were more reasonable. Thousands of affordable housing units are provided to help provide more cost-effective options. Common tenants include single adults early in their careers, single parents struggling to raise a family on their own, pensioners and working class households who have limited hours and low pay.
• Community investment: Some of the efforts are directed towards community improvement projects that can benefit the residents of individual neighbourhoods. Guinness Hermitage is involved in development affordable housing in the South West with partners.
• Home ownership: A path towards eventual home ownership is often the goal of lower income tenants. Guinness Hermitage can help tenants become owners through an alternative approach that can dramatically reduce the upfront costs and restrictions to home ownership. Clients can learn about mortgage schemes and other financial aid.

Many tenants are able to graduate from one area of aid to another with the help of the Financial Inclusion Team. Current residents who are unable to afford their reduced rent due to an emergency always have a hotline to call at 0300 303 8034. They can receive help with getting back on track and avoid an eviction if it is possible.

Those who are not yet a client may contact the local office closest to them for assistance. The information on where to ring is below.

• Bristol: Call 01275 395 300.
• Exeter: Call 01392 822 900.
• Gloucester, Havant & Plymouth: Call 0300 303 8034.
• Redruth: Call 01209 211174.
• Waterlooville: Call 0300 303 8034.
• Wiltshire: Call 0845 603 3894.

You can find out what properties are located near you as well as get help with the application process. Getting a lower rental rate is just the beginning. Guinness Hermitage can help you become more self-sufficient and ultimately buy a home if it is feasible for you to do so.