Fusion Housing facilitates new rentals through Bond Bank

Fusion Housing has been a Kirklees community leader for its devotion to homelessness prevention. The organisation has gone beyond its housing advice roots to provide prospective tenants with a way to meet their rent deposit needs.

What this long serving organisation discovered was that many of its clients who sought housing advice still could not meet the rental deposit requirement. They simply lacked the savings to be able to pay this cost plus their initial payment. The problem has become even more difficult in recent years as many landlords have begun requiring six weeks of rent for a deposit. They are requiring these funds in addition to advance rent payment for month one.

Bond Bank

What Fusion Housing did in 1998 was to establish the Bond Bank. This entity creates an alternative arrangement that can fulfill the rent deposit requirement. It issues rent guarantees to participating landlords who agree to accept the terms of the bond in lieu of a cash deposit.

While no money changes hands when this form of payment is issued, a promise is exchanged. The Bond Bank guarantees to the landlord that certain terms of the tenancy will be provided by Fusion Housing, even if the tenant fails to honour the terms of their tenancy. Bonds could cover damages or skipped rent payments, up to a certain threshold.

Many landlords and charities refer those at risk of homelessness to the Bond Bank. Individuals are able to apply for deposit guarantee without a referral. Even if someone has not found a landlord willing to accept a bond guarantee, Fusion Housing can assist with locating a suitable property where this arrangement would be satisfactory.

Resettlement in the Community Scheme

Recently released prisoners who served a sentence of less than one year could benefit from the RIC Scheme. This programme provides a bond guarantee to cover one month’s rent. There is a limit (£375 in 2014), so choices could be limited based on where the applicant chooses to live.

The RIC Scheme helps these individuals rebound from their prison sentence with the opportunity to live independently. The guarantee allows them to live as a normal citizen, thereby reducing the chances of clients exhibiting re-offending behaviours.

Prisoners may apply for the Bond Guarantee. They could receive up to the limit from the scheme to cover the rent deposit requirement. If they require additional rental assistance beyond the deposit guarantee, there is possible housing support that pays up to six weeks of rent payments while they try to become employed and obtain their first regular paycheck.

How to apply

Applicants may be single or married, but there cannot be dependent children currently in the home. Other programmes through Council and other charities are better suited for those needs. Kirklees residents as well as those seeking to resettle in Kirklees may apply.

Interested clients should direct enquiries to Fusion Housing at 01484 425522. The scheme is administered from their Huddersfield location (Pearl House). Additional advice services are offered at the Dewsbury location.