UK Bill Help

Most of the assistance for rent arrears involves the tenant receiving free advice on how to improve their financial condition. However there are a few government programmes in Cornwall that may also be able to assist, and they range from discretionary housing payments to money for paying a portion of rent from a homeless prevention service.

The aim of each of the organisations below is to prevent homelessness. It is recommended that a tenant seek help before they have an eviction notice from their landlord. There may be some cases in which a specialist, such as those from a One Stop Shop, recommend that a person move on to a more affordable home. In these cases, there may also be loans used to help pay for a portion of first month’s rent. Also, this process will often involve the family applying for help from either housing benefits or DHP.

Each if the agencies below will generally help resident local to the district. If the family is seeking assistance with their rent and a centre is not near them, referrals may be given to other locations.

Charity organisations for help with housing needs or rent

Coastline Homeless and Social Exclusion Service supports the vulnerable in Cornwall. There is housing assistance for ex-offenders, people on disability benefits, the homeless, or substance mis-users. Applicants can be referred to schemes for rent in advance payments, housing benefits, and other support.

They also offer help for the unemployed. Many of these individuals struggle with paying all sorts of bills, including energy and rent. There is a drop in centre in which clients can get advice on this crisis. The address is 11 Basset Road, Camborne, TR14 8SB, or call the organisation at 01209 200086.

Homemaker Southwest has specialists that will help tenants sustain their agreement with their landlord and preventing homelessness. The main office is in Exeter. For families on a low income that can’t afford their current flat and need to resettle, they operate a rent in advance scheme. They also offer mortgage advice and the Inside Out project which can help prisoners. Call 01392 686752 for information.

Housing Service at Cornwall Council is where residents can access a number of government programmes. The specialists offer advice to homeowners in mortgage arrears or tenants in rent arrears. The agency also provide legal advice if the family is facing eviction. Other services include form filling for housing benefits as well as help in locating private accommodations. The post is Dolcoath Avenue, Cambourne, TR14 8SX, phone 0300 1234 161.

North Devon Mediation in Barnstaple can be used to try to resolve a dispute between landlord and tenants. The charity also offers many other forms of counselling, but that can be one for addressing housing. Telephone number is 01271 321888.

Government government agencies

Homeless Prevention Scheme offers no-interest loans for rent arrears. The cash from the Cornwall Council can also be used for other housing costs as well, including legal fees or energy bills. Any expense that left unpaid that could lead to homelessness can be paid by the loan, but the priority is on rental expenses. The address of the scheme is Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1DP. Call 0300 1234 161 for an application, or find more information on Cornwall loans to prevent homelessness.

The One Stop Shops that are listed below help families that are local to the district. There will be a housing specialist at each office that offer free advice and also help in applying for benefits. They are also a source of information on discretionary housing payments (DHP), which can help pay for a portion of future rental costs if a benefit does not cover all of it.

• Bodmin centre is at Bodmin Library, Lower Bore Street, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 2JX, call 0300 1234 100.
• Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8SX, dial 0300 1234 100.
• Families local to Falmouth can drop in at One Stop at 34 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3EF, telephone 0300 1234 100.
• Fowey One Stop is at the Library at Caffa Mill House, 2 Passage Lane. For enquires, ring 0300 1234 100.
• Launceston office is at Bounsall’s Lane at the Library. Call 0300 1234 100 for a specialist.
• Millpool, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 2AF, telephone 0300 1234 111.
• Families in Penryn can drop in at Saracen House, Higher Market Street, Penryn, Cornwall. Or the phone number is 0300 1234 100.
• Redruth – Clinton Road, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 2QE, telephone- 0300 1234 161.
• St Austell One Shop post is 39 Penwinnick Road, Cornwall, PL25 5DR, dial 0300 1234 100 for information.
• St Ives Library has a centre. Address is Gabriel Street, and phone number is 0300 1234 100.
• Truro One Stop is at Carrick House, Ryder Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1EB, call 0300 1234 100.