Housing and tenant support services from Brighton Housing Trust in East Sussex

Assistance for housing problems is provided by Brighton Housing Trust. The staff from the agency deal with a wide range of issues, and it includes everything from placing the homeless into short term accommodations to helping tenants with a rent arrears. BHT will also partner with other authorities and not-for-profits across East Sussex as needed.

The main services are noted below. Help is available for the areas of Hove, Brighton, Hastings, and Eastbourne. There may be some additional advice and support offered for people that live in parts of Lewes and Wealden as well.

Accommodation is coordinated in the area. Most people will first be placed into a short term facility. This will provide them time to improve their situation, such as increase their income, obtain employment, or pay down debts. Staff will also partner with the guest to set goals towards independent living.

Permanent housing may be the next step, but the number of accommodations is very limited. For individuals who are ready for a new home, Brighton Housing Trust will try to arrange this. However, they may offer referrals to your local housing department due to limited capacity.

If you seek Permanent housing in the East Sussex Private Rented Sector (PRS) market, then staff from BHT can refer clients to schemes that may be able to help with paying a rental deposit. They partner with housing authorities and maybe landlords on security deposit programmes and related benefits.

Rough sleepers in London areas of Brighton and nearby can use the First Base Day Centre. It works to get individuals off the streets and into some type of accommodation. Clients will be able to benefit from a roof over their heads as well as access to learning, employment training, and other services.

Resources from First Base Day Centre will assist rough sleepers and the homeless get the skills they need. The end goal is to help them find, pay a security deposit on, and move into a new home. However throughout the process they can benefit from work and earning activities, health support, and other aid.

Move on programmes will help with locating and paying for permanent housing. This is for people who can’t afford the rent on their current home. If qualified, and a property is located, then there may be schemes from charities for paying the deposit on the new home. BHT may have information on those.

Legal advice is offered for housing issues. There are centres across East Sussex that provide free information, and even representation if qualified. They are located in Hastings, Eastbourne, and other locations.

At the centres, specialists will answer questions and provide free advice to the client. The focus is on applying for government welfare benefits, accessing housing allowances, and issues impacting families on a low income. They may even operate court duty schemes for eligible tenants.

The goal of the advice is to help the client find a solution to their housing crisis. Whether it is tenancy rights or a landlord disrepair of a property, guidance is offered. In many cases this legal support has helped a family obtain funds to pay the deposit or it accelerated the approval of their housing benefit application. Individuals can work with solicitors or maybe another advisor from BHT.

Homeless people that are working can benefit from temporary accommodations. This is meant to provide the individual a place to stay a they gain an income or new skills. There are a few flats in Brighton that are available. The not-for-profit BHT also offers clients training courses, job placement, work schemes, and more. As they gain independence, then clients can explore other financial aid and permanent accommodation solutions.

The Brighton Advice Centre is a key partner for information on housing assistance. The location can represent tenants with evictions and rent possession on their records. They also have information on resources such as government housing allowances and deposit schemes. Everything handled buy this centre will need to be related to homelessness or tenant issues.

Homeless Prevention from Support 4 Housing is for families on a low income. Those that are vulnerable can receive life skills classes, learn how to maximise income, and more. There can be referrals to other social services and agencies in East Sussex or even nearby London. All of this will help the individual maintain their housing.

In addition to what is noted above, there are several other housing services noted. The above list is just a sampling. Specialists from Brighton Housing Trust can offer information on tenants’ rights, help prevent evictions, assist with mortgage arrears, and provide mediation. There are also special programmes for ex-offenders, the disabled, and women impacted by domestic violence. The main centre is at 144 London Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4PH. Call 01273 645400.