Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition schemes

Housing schemes are provided by the Churches Housing Coalition. There are more than 10 churches in Staffordshire that provide financial assistance or short term accommodations. The schemes that are available can help pay a damage deposit to a landlord or offer a bond for a rent deposit.

Since they are churches they also offer help to the unwaged. This includes the homeless or individuals with no job. However if the applicant has no wages coming in the door, then they still need to have some form of income. This can be from a government welfare benefit, Local Housing Allowance, job support, or some other scheme. In other words, anyone seeking financial aid from the Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition needs to have some form of money that their family lives on.

Programmes from the Churches Housing Coalition

Accommodations are also arranged too by the Churches Housing Coalition. They have bridging rooms or shelters, including hostels, available. What this form of housing does is it allows a person (or family) to have a roof over their head. Then, since they have a bed to sleep in, they can get a job to earn an income. This allows the individual to save money for their future housing bills, such as energy connection fees or rent.

Volunteers from the Churches Housing Coalition also partner with the client on these tasks. They also use the support from local agencies, including Citizens Advice (48 Allport Rd, Cannock WS11 1DY (ring 0344 411 1444) as well as Christians Against Poverty. Other partners include Trussell Trust and others around food or meals.

Rent and damage deposit schemes can help pay housing costs in Staffordshire County. The assistance can be provided two different ways. One is a guarantee that is given to a landlord. The second will be cash aid that is used to pay some of the rent in advance that may be due.

All of this assistance is for private sector housing only. This means that the landlord needs to agree to the Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition financial aid programmes. The property owner will need to agree to accept the damage guarantee (instead of cash up front) and also need to agree to having the Coalition assess the tenancy agreement. There is never any pressure put on the landlord; the housing schemes are discretionary.

One advantage of using the Churches Housing Coalition is that the organisation has information on landlords in Staffordshire County that have agreed to the schemes in the past. So if an individual is on a low income (or homeless) the church may be able to help them find a flat to live in that is part of what is offered. This can streamline the process. They also have information on other local charities that provide bond schemes to pay rent deposits

There are criteria that the prospective tenant and landlord need to agree too as well. The Churches Housing Coalition has volunteers that will drop in at the property that is being let on an up to monthly basis. They will ensure there is no damage and that the rent has been paid on time. They will also ensure the tenant is working. So this visit is in fact a housing check.

But as long as the applicant agrees to these terms (and others) then they can get help in paying for the rental deposit as well as other costs. This can ensure they get off the streets and are not living rough.

For more information on homeless prevention from the Cannock Chase Churches Housing Coalition, they are located at Civic Centre, PO Box 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock, WS11 1BG, or ring 01543 462621.