HARP housing and emergency assistance in Essex

HARP provides assistance to people that are threatened with homelessness and evictions, and the charity group will also provide clients or rough sleepers with short term housing. Not only will the need for safe and affordable accommodations in the community be met, but other practical support will be arranged such as food or clothing among other basic needs.

The homeless or individuals that need to resettle in Southend-on-Sea can get help from programmes such as Acorn (for single people), Restart (which is for ex-offenders) and Learning for Life, which is for people sleeping rough in Essex. Dozens of families or single people may be using these accommodations at any one time. There is also general advice to the low income, and this includes help in completing forms for benefits to advice on sustaining tenancy.

The drop in centre from HARP is where information on their services are provided from. The location, known as the Bradbury Centre, is the main location for the low income to turn to. Social workers will offer clients assistance as below. Support is offered on a one on one basis to address the crisis.

• Free hot meals or a parcel of food is served, and this is for both the homeless and people facing hunger.
• Free advice and support, ranging from referrals to rent deposit schemes to ongoing tenancy support to prevent homelessness.
• Staff from HAP will also help people locate, and move into, temporary accommodations in Essex.

The Bradbury Centre is located at 103-107 York Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2DL. The main phone number is 01702 430696, and people can call or drop in for help.

Learning for Life is a programme for people sleeping rough. The support provided to those in Southend is extensive, and the aim is to address the cause of the homelessness and get the person into a new, affordable home.

Basic needs will be met, and this includes a box of food or more likely a free daily breakfast. There may also be clothes, personal hygiene, hot drinks, and a sleeping bag passed out, among other items. Other assistance programmes include drug and alcohol services as well as counselling. The needs of the rough sleeper will be assessed by HARP, and if the charity can help, sign-posting is provided.

Ongoing support is arranged by HARP and its partners too. There are a number of workshops as well as classes or in-house support groups provided. A focus is on providing housing assistance, such as benefits or deposits schemes, as well as tenancy sustainment, but other help is provided too. Some of the partners of the charity include Love Southend, Southend’s Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Team, and the council in Southend-On-Sea. Other groups in Essex also contribute.

Staff will partner prospective tenants, or those facing homeless, to help them access education and training. A priority is on maximising incomes and accessing employment opportunities in Essex, and this can help people on how to both pay the rent and manage their own homes in the future.

On a holistic basis, HARP will help job seekers with IT classes. People with a substance abuse challenge can receive counselling or support. Another service for ex-offenders in Essex is RESTART. Much more is offered too.

Call 01702 430696 to reach a volunteer or staff member from HARP. Or stop by the Bradley Centre at the address above.