Gloucestershire help with rent deposits

The homeless, or families on a low income that are resettling in Gloucestershire, may be able to get help with deposits or rental costs that are owed to landlords of private housing or even access ongoing tenancy support. Many of the councils in the county run schemes which will provide the landlord a bond guarantee for a rent deposit, or some organisations may offer loans for this housing expense.

The councils will only help people with a local connection, and any funds are provided at their discretion. But residents do have other options when it comes to deposit help, and this may include support from local charities such as 1st Stop. While financial aid from these organisations is limited, they can be a good source of information on programmes such as housing benefits, homeless prevention, and other local rent deposit schemes.

Gloucestershire County deposit schemes

The primary centres to call upon for assistance, or to drop in at, are below. Usually a housing officer from the council will perform an assessment to see if the resident is eligible for help with the rent deposit on a new property, and they may also have information on landlords that participate in the private sector programmes.

CCP – County Community Projects offers housing assistance from Floating Support. This is a combination of advice, temporary accommodations, and referrals to benefits or deposit schemes. The not-for-profit organisation also offers other services for the low income, and read more County Community Projects.

Cheltenham Borough Council runs a rent deposit guarantee scheme. This is for people on a low income or benefits, and a bond will be issued by the council as a form of guarantee. In order to apply, an assessment will take place and the council will only explore this service for people with a referral from Housing Options officer.

A total of £700 can be paid out to help with the deposit expense. In some cases, a portion of a first months rent in advance payment can be made. The address is Municipal Offices Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA, and telephone number for the Cheltenham Borough Council deposit scheme is 01242 775063.

Cheltenham 1st Stop is a charity that offers many housing services. They aim to assist the most vulnerable, and this will include people with problems such as family breakdown, mental health, substance misuse, and seniors. They will offer emergency accommodation such as shelters, information on housing and deposit options, as well as floating support.

The centre will also hold workshops with partners such as Citizens Advice that offer solutions to a housing crisis. There will be information on applying for deposit help or locating new housing in Gloucestershire. Other support is arranged too. The address is 301-305 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HW. Residents can ring 01242 228999, or read Cheltenham 1st Stop support services.

The Council in Gloucester City, which can be called at 01452 396567, can help people considered to be in priority need with paying a rent in advance on a new home. In some cases, there may be funds for single people too, or they may be issued a loan. Not only will the council support this need, but they also provide referrals to other schemes that can help with housing needs or offer temporary accommodations in Gloucester. The deposit assistance is provided as part of the Gloucester City Tenancy Sector Procurement Scheme, and the post of the main centre to apply at is The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EQ.

South Gloucestershire County area is supported by a Bond Scheme as well from the council. This will help the low income move into private rented accommodation. There is help for the homeless, the mentally ill, vulnerable or people facing eviction that need to resettle. Also, any assistance from a deposit scheme will only be for individuals that are willing to receive ongoing advice and support so they can maintain their tenancy over time. The Gloucestershire authority is at The Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 9BR, and the phone number is 01454 868005. Or find more information on the South Gloucestershire deposit scheme.

Guinness Partnership uses a step-wise approach in Gloucestershire as well as the southwest UK to provide housing to the vulnerable. The organisation, also known as Heritage, Financial aid or loans are not available for paying the rent deposit, but the organisation does focus on helping clients find affordable flats to live in, they are involved in homeownership schemes, and offer other community programmes. More on Guinness Hermitage.

Stroud District Council not only issues a deposit bond for the payment of one month of rent, but for individuals that are eligible there is also a one month’s Housing Benefit for future rental costs. Clients of this scheme can be those with mental health problems, the low income, and disabled too. Some exceptions can be made for individuals local to Stroud, such as ex-offenders, if they have a referral from a social worker.

Other aid is provided too. The council can also help people apply for a housing benefit and inspect the private housing too as part of the Stroud deposit and rent in advance scheme. The main office is at Westward Road, Ebley, Stroud, Gloucestershire, and the phone number is 01453 766321.

Tewkesbury Borough Council offers both temporary accommodations as well as possible financial help for those in priority need under the Housing Act. The council can provide support to the homeless or low income. This also includes signposting to local schemes for rent deposits or other costs, but they do not have funds themselves. Call the agency at 01684 272212, or find the homeless assistance programmes from Tewkesbury Council.