Housing assistance from Booth Centre

The Booth Centre not only helps the homeless, but the charity provides advice and support services to people that need a home private rented property to live in. Individuals can get referrals to deposit schemes, help with budgeting and employment, and other aid from the charity.

For homeless or jobless people moving on from a hostel, support workers from Booth Centre will help them move towards independent living. This will cover many different activities, including both housing and job related. The charity will assist clients with the following employment needs.

• There is assistance with training and finding employment in Manchester. Get help in preparing CVs and applying for jobs or voluntary work.
• Money is available for buying clothes and equipment for employment.
• If the person can’t find employment, then the Booth Centre can help them find voluntary work and other positions that can get them experience.
• Courses are provided to help a client gain qualifications, and this can address food, catering, computer skills, and other classes.
• The support worker can even go an interview with the client if needed.
• The Cafe Advice sessions provide access to computers with the Internet and there are free toiletries passed out at the sessions to ensure they are well prepared for any interviews.

Housing advice is provided from the centre too. The aim is to help the homeless person move into permanent accommodations in Manchester. Many people struggle with the funds to pay the rent deposit due from a landlord, so staff can help with applications for schemes for the deposit or help some apply for a housing benefit. Other solutions provided by the charity are below.

• A specialist will help the client find accommodations, and they have lists of landlords and suitable accommodations in the area.
• As indicated, they will provide help with any rent in advance or deposits that are due, and can assist with applications to charities or council programmes.
• Advice is also provided from partners such as the Manchester Housing outreach workers or the local Mental Health Team.

Volunteers will review the clients personal situation, and if they have worked towards stability, they will refer them to a council or another organization that offers rent deposit schemes or a bond guarantee. Those are two solutions for helping with the deposit that is needed, but the applicant needs to show the ability to qualify for that assistance.

After the person moves into the new accommodation, the Booth Centre will continue to assist them with ongoing tenant support to ensure they maintain the accommodation. So there will be ongoing budgeting workshops provided, and the worker will help the person maximise their income.

Based on funding and donations, there may be furniture for the tenant for their new flat as well as other white goods. Or the client can receive help in finding items for their home. All of this is done so the tenant will treat their home as their own, which lessens the risk of any damage or them missing a rent payment.

If the tenant has a problem with paying their rent or other bills in the future, then the Booth Centre will continue to offer advice and support the individual, including working with the landlord on a solution. So the advice is provided for 3-12 months to help prevent a future episode of homelessness.

The main Booth Centre is at Edward Holt House, Pimblett Street, in Manchester. While people can drop in, they can also call 0161 835 2499 to make an appointment with a support worker.