PATH deposit and housing services in Teignbridge and Plymouth

For people that have had their housing benefits reduced, or that are homeless, PATH provides services for a number of problems. They will help resettle the homeless by helping with a deposit, offer outreach, and ongoing tenant support. The charity operates in a wide area, with a focus on the vulnerable in Plymouth as well as the city of Teignbridge. They also partner with other organisations in the region, including many that are not-for-profits.

People assisted by services from PATH

Help is for provided for those that are sleeping rough. PATH partners with various other agencies and churches in an effort to get rough sleepers into some form of temporary accommodations. They also would like to prevent homelessness from occurring for these individuals.

They offer a few main services, ranging from outreach to follow up and advice. First, PATH needs to identify people that need support, and once this is done they offer advice and encouragement to try to resettle them. They will offer information on hostels, job training, and other accommodations in the Plymouth or surrounding Devon area. Once the rough sleeper is stabilized, then they can get help in applying for deposit schemes.

Prevention is also provided to rough sleepers. Key partners of this include the Plymouth City Council, Shekinah Mission and local charities. The aim is to keep people from returning to the streets, and advice and support is offered to meet this goal.

START, or Students and Refugees Together, as well as PATH offer assistance to refugees in Devon as well. There is advice, support, referrals, and more provided to them. The agencies work to get a refugee into an affordable accommodation.

This is ongoing support as well, and refugees in Teignbridge or other areas can even get assistance in maintaining their property. So they can apply for housing benefits and other support from PATH. This can prevent future homelessness of a refugee.

The two agencies indicated above will also provide resettlement, schemes to pay a rental deposit on the new housing, and life skills independence. The on-going support from PATH will also touch upon entitlements which can lead to long term stability. This is done as all organisations in Devon want to help the vulnerable.

Deposit Guarantees are part of the Renting Support Service. PATH offices in both Plymouth and also Teignbridge can provide this to eligible families on a low income. For those that are struggling with paying their rent, this can help keep them housed. Or the guarantee can also assist the currently homeless with moving into a new accommodation. It is also run in partnership with housing authorities in the district.

When seeking help with a rent deposit, the applicant will need to apply and go through an assessment. As part of this process, all local programmes will be reviewed that can lead to long term accommodations. They will also need to agree to improve their financial condition, budget, and pay down any debts.

The Guarantee needs to be agreed to by the landlord as well as PATH and the tenant. It will help cover any damage to the property or rent arrears that may be due from the renter at the end of the tenancy. As part of this deposit service, PATH will reimburse the landlord for any arrears that are due. Or the guarantee will also pay for the damage, however there may be legal action taken against the tenant in these cases.

People impacted by the changes to the spare room subsidy may be able to benefit from the Lodgings Support Scheme. Specialists from PATH will place individuals with a low income into a new home of someone that has an extra bedroom in Plymouth or other cities. Many of the clients of this service, who are known as Lodgers, have been impacted by changes to social housing or that maybe had their benefits cut.

The Lodger will need to pay a small monthly rent to the Householder on a monthly basis. However there are limits as to how much that is, and PATH can provide more information on this. PATH will also review the property, match lodgers with homes, and offer other support.

Advice, information, and signposted are all provided by HISS. This service is for the homeless in Devon, substance miusers, and others that are vulnerable. People that use Intervention, Signposting and Support Service can get help with a number of needed, including these.

• They will have access to a PATH housing specialist for advice, referrals to schemes and advice.
• Links and referrals are available.
• Help is provided for locating a new private property in Devon or Plymouth area.
• Tenancy support for the new home, including referrals to furniture and information on tenant rights.
• Information on mental health services and support for alcohol and drug misusers.

For more information on these PATH services, the charity has two main centres. Specialists will assist as possible. They are.

Harwell Centre, 28-42 Harwell Court, Western Approach, Plymouth, PL1 1PY. Call this office at 01752 255889

Teignbridge District Council runs the Path Renting Support Service, Forde House, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX, telephone 01626 215374 / 215309.