Whitechapel Centre housing programmes in Liverpool

The charity organization known as Whitechapel Centre provides various housing assistance services in the Liverpool region. Programmes will help rehouse the homeless, namely in the form of deposit schemes. There is also advice to prevent evictions and to deal with the underlying cause of the hardship, such as lack of employment and job training. Staff from the agency work with then needy to get them back on track.

Rough sleepers can get help from the Hub and Homeless Resolution Service. The aim is to get them off the streets, with the goal of ensuring they are not spending more than one night sleeping in an unfit location. Clients can get help in locating, and moving into, both emergency housing and long term private accommodations.

People facing homelessness can also get support from Resolution Service. Staff from Whitechapel Centre offer welfare and housing advice to prevent an eviction or future episodes of homelessness. So information on financial aid is for individuals who are at risk of rough sleeping in the future as well. There is long term support provided as part of the Hub to address housing problems. Clients can learn about emergency rent schemes and other services.

The Enablement Centre is an option for all rough sleepers. This is also an option for people that are on the verge of eviction or that recently moved into hostel. There are different activities organized at the centre, as noted below.

Advisers, volunteers and social workers will help people access job training and employment. Much of this is done in partnership with other not-for profit organisations in Liverpool, such as Collective Encounters, Crisis Skylight, and Social Partnership. They also provide food, showers, and basic needs such as clothing from the Open Access Drop programme. Whitechapel believes increasing income is key to paying rent on time in the future, and addressing an arrears.

Resettlement will assist individuals with finding new private accommodations in the Merseyside County region. There is assistance for low income families that are inadequately housed or the currently homeless. A support worker from Whitechapel Centre will help clients moving into new housing. Clients can explore deposit schemes and other financial aid. Other possible options include using Registered Social Landlord if they can’ find other solutions.

A separate resettlement service is also for older persons in Liverpool. Whitechapel Centre will help people who are struggling to pay the rent on the accommodation they already live in, or it can assist those looking for a new home or flat. So a wide range of services are available to the elderly.

The resettlement will also involve working with the older individual to overcomes barriers that is making it challenging for their to continue to live in their current home. So education and workshops are coordinated across Merseyside.

A Bond Scheme is available for paying for housing in the Private Rented Sector. Priority is given to the currently homeless. Staff from Whitechapel Centre help people find a suitable property to live in. The landlord will also benefit from the bond as they will no longer need to collect a security deposit from the future tenant.

When a bond is provided to an individual, they will also get ongoing advice from a social worker from Whitechapel Centre. This will, among other things, allow them to better work with the landlord, maximize and education or employment services, and also help ensure strong working relations with the landlord.

Tenancy support is also provided on an ongoing basis for several months as part of this programme. This can help individual maintain their housing in the future. After all, having stability, such as employment, enables tenants to pay the rent on time in the future.

Triage workers and Duty Advisers will also help individual signpost for internal assistance programmes. This is done through the Enablement Centre as well. Clients will be able to get help with education and job training or access medical services. Other service will advise clients about their welfare rights (such as government housing benefits or schemes), and other aid.

Partnerships and referrals are available from the Whitechapel Centre. This is mostly the case as they work with many other charities an even churches in the Liverpool area. They partner with hostels to identify vacancies, can refer people or families to the Liverpool City Council’s Homeless Service, and offer other linkage when needed.

Other key partners of the Rough Sleepers Outreach Service include St Helen’s Metropolitan Council, the Halton Borough Council, as well as Sefton Metropolitan. Between these groups, many people can learn about places to turn to for paying the deposit or other benefits that may be offered. They all do their best to find a solution for whatever the challenge is.

During the winter months, a Cold Weather Shelter is available in the greater Liverpool area. While the availability will vary, it is usually open only when the temperature is to be below zero Celsius for a few nights in a row. The homeless that use the facility may get a hot meal, clothing, blankets, and a warm place to stay for the night.

Emergency accommodation for homeless individuals and families is part of the Belvidere Family Centre. This is available all year. It is run together with SHAP and referrals are from the Liverpool City Council’s Housing Options Service. Any accommodation is temporary and usually last for several weeks at most, as room and space allows.

Health care is provided for those that are homeless or rough sleeping. This is offered a couple days per week from a Community Pharmacist and other medical professionals on site. Staff also mentor patients and can provide referrals to other Liverpool groups such as Brownlow Group Practice. Other resources available include a Homeless Access Clinic and more.

For more information on their programs and services, the location is Langsdale Street, Liverpool, L3 8DU, phone 0151 207 7617.