Assistance for housing and deposits from HOPE Worldwide | Manchester and London

The housing services provided by HOPE Worldwide are wide ranging. The charity is focused on helping those individuals facing poverty or the homeless receive the help they need. A combination of volunteers and staff work with individuals to get them into a private accommodation and solve the cause of their hardship.

The vulnerable and homeless may be able to get assistance from programmes such as Two Step, private rent deposit schemes, and long term tenant support. The charity also works with other groups, such as not-for profits in the City of London. Their various housing services are also available in Manchester.

The main programme for the homeless is known as Two Step. This is for those who are considered to be low priority by their local council. In order to get help, a referral will be required by the applicant, however in some cases a self-referral will suffice. Hundreds of people will usually receive some form of assistance from HOPE Worldwide each and every year.

There are different components of what is provided. First, the client will be placed into an emergency accommodation. Then, other support is provided. This includes advice on applying for government housing benefits or private funded security deposit schemes. Volunteers will help the individual with completing any paperwork for these resources. The objective is to place the client into a private accommodation in London or other areas that are supported.

Two Step will involve a number of other partner organisations as well. Various churches, advice centres, hostels, councils, and landlords also work with HOPE Worldwide in an effort to rehouse families and individuals. The intent is to combine all the resource and experience from these groups to offer the best solutions.

The programme is in high demand. A formal application and appointment will be required. If someone is eligible, they may be will be placed in a short term hostel until a more permanent property is found. This may take time. However, if the charity can’t meet your needs, then they may provide other potential solutions to the person.

When ready to move into a new accommodation, the homeless person will get help in the process. Staff can mediate and negotiate with the landlord on what the rent will be. HOPE Worldwide can also assist with finding funds to pay any deposit or rent in advance that may be due to the landlord.

While rehousing is beneficial, but there needs to be ongoing tenancy support. This is provided too from the Moving On scheme. Staff will mentor the tenant and provide advice for the long term. Referrals may be provided to employment and job training centres in Manchester. They will help ensure that the landlord is paid on time, and that the homelessness doesn’t reoccur in the future.

Support is available for homeless prevention as well. So if you are behind on your rental payments, then a tenant may be able to receive advice as part of the Two Step services. Most of this assistance is for no priority people and/or those who currently receive a housing benefit or allowance.

In these cases, the tenant may be resettled into a new, more affordable property by a landlord that partners with the charity. The accommodation may be a flat or maybe a shared facility. While staff from HOPE will try to help the client apply for any deposit due or any rent in advance, in some cases individuals may need to turn to the social fund.

Landlords can also benefit from these various programmes. If a tenant receives a government housing allowance, then they can be reliable. They will be able to pay the rent on time for their private accommodations. This is even true for the unemployed provided they receive that government benefit.

Substance misusers are other clients of HOPE. Not only will they be provided accommodations, but there is therapy and recovery often organized. Highly trained staff provide the client with counseling, life skills support, and more. The goal is to eventually get the misusers into some type of private or government supported work-training programme.

The charity will do its best to address all housing challenges. They try to help people receive a housing allowance. Or the charity will usually have information on schemes for paying a rent-in advance or a deposit. However, they do rely heavily on partnerships from landlords in London and other agencies, such as housing authorities in Manchester. So resources are limited.

The Two Step programme in London is run from 2nd Floor, 360 City Road, London, EC1V 2PY. Call 020 7713 7655. For individuals is Manchester, there are options available as well. HOPE Worldwide runs the Homeless Day Centre which is at Manchester Church of Christ, 9 Derby, Street, Manchester, M8 8QE.