Housing programmes from Accommodation Concern in Northamptonshire

There are several programmes run by Accommodation Concern, ranging from free advice and they offer help in dealing with rent and debt arrears from the Laura Project. The charity operates in several boroughs in Northamptonshire. Services are available for all tenants and rough sleepers in the area.

The Tenancy Sustainment Scheme is for people that are either homeless now or threatened by it. Staff from the charity will actually visit either the home that a family lives in, or they will locate people sleeping rough in the community. The service is customised to meet the individual’s needs.

The scheme will offer the client a number of services. It makes it very convenient for the person to take advantage of it as well, as the staff from Accommodation Concern will arrange home visits when needed. People in rent arrears can get information on DHP or other not-for-profit schemes to sustain their tenancy. Other matters addressed will be on other paying down and the staff will even just offer a listening ear for emotional support.

Using grants from councils in Northamptonshire as well as donations from churches, the charity offers free Housing Advice which meets the Quality Standard Quality Mark. This will involve an assessment occur of the client’s needs. Based on this, the advice provided may help prevent homelessness. All requests for advice need to be made by appointment. The number to call for this service is 01536 416560.

Rough Sleepers in Northamptonshire can get help too. Services are coordinated with Crisis and other councils local to the area. Accommodation Concern will meet the homeless person in their area to provide support for their needs.

Some of the services from the Rough Sleepers scheme are as follows. The staff will offer them intensive support. Then, once they are ready, the charity works with landlords to try to get the person into private rented sector accommodation. This will also involve the individual applying for deposit schemes from their council. All of this is done in an effort to help rough sleepers enter into a tenancy agreement.

The Laura Project is for residents of Northamptonshire that are local to Corby or Kettering. The services from this programme are customised to meet the needs of the client. This is what makes it different from some of the other services administered by the charity. Not only will it address debt arrears being faced, but it offers people new skills for employment.

This project relies mostly on volunteers. Anyone who agrees to take part will be trained by staff so that they can be comfortable in helping others. The scheme is effective at preventing homelessness in the area.

Anytime someone seeks help from Accommodation Concern they will need to meet with a staff member. This is done to better understand the financial situation of the family. It will include an assessment of the expenses, income, and budget of the family. Based on that, the programmes above will be used to find a solution. So individuals should be prepared for this process. For more information, or to make an appointment, Accommodation Concern is located at 25-26 Dalkeith Place, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 0BS, and ring them at 01536 416560 for advice.