Services from Shelter Housing Aid and Research in Leicestershire and Rutland

Tenants and homeowners can receive help from Shelter Housing Aid and Research Project, or SHARP. The not-for profit centre in Leicestershire works with individuals on a low income to address their needs. There are several services available, including help in access housing benefits or deposit schemes, advice on arrears, landlord mediation and more.

The goal of the advice centre is to prevent homelessness in the community. They also rehouse people into new homes, including offering help with deposits due from landlords. Hundreds of people from the greater Leicestershire as well as Rutland area get help from SHARP every year. While not everyone will be eligible, referrals may be provided to those that are not. More information on what they provide is below.

• For those people that have arrears due, either on rent or a mortgage, free advice may be provided. Counselling can help clients explore assistance for paying down any arrears they owe.
• Security deposit schemes are available. This is mostly for the currently homeless, and the organization works with individuals to get them placed into affordable accommodations somewhere in the Leicestershire County region.
• Get help from SHARP on housing issues, such as a landlord relationship issue, disrepair of your flat, or other concerns. Legal support and advice is provided.
• Homeless prevention is provided, with the goal of ensuring people do not lose their home. It is for a wide range of people, including low income families and individuals in Leicestershire.

SHARP also works with the community, including churches and councils, to address the cause of homelessness. So this this end, information is provided to the general public as well as other agencies. These other groups can access resources that describe the housing rights of tenants, guides on local schemes or housing benefits, and other information. Most of this is available for the general public too.

Housing Support Service is for vulnerable people and the currently homeless. There are different services available, including home visits, free advice and practical help. Individuals can get help in locating a private accommodation, paying the rent in advance or deposit due, and get other support.

For example, the Shelter Housing Aid and Research Project may arrange for furniture for their new flat. There can also be guidance in dealing with government housing benefit issues. Or get information on job services or training. The goal is to ensure the vulnerable person can live independently, and all support has that goal in mind.

Training for a job is provided by a programme known as STRIDE, or SHARP Training, Recycling and Income Development Enterprise. Case workers from SHARP help individuals with different vocational topics and literacy. They may enroll in workshops on Hair and Beauty, Motor Mechanics, Construction and Adult Numeracy & Literacy. Ideally, the unemployed will be placed into jobs. A stable income will also help an applicant apply for rental deposit services from Rutland area charities.

Legal advisers are at the centre too, and they offer specialist advice to the many clients that need it. These individuals can help people deal with their landlord or mortgage lender. Some of what is provided includes legal submissions or letters on your behalf. While more limited, the SHARP lawyer can represent some tenants in court.

There is free advice from the lawyers on Mortgage repossession, Eviction prevention, Homelessness, disrepair of flat, Problems with your landlord, and other housing options. Solicitors may be available for some cases too.

The SHARP agency is fully independent, however they also work closely with other charities and groups, such as the Leicester Shelter Group. The goal is to help those that are facing homelessness or other serious issues in the city of Leicester, county, or even nearby Rutland.

For more information, Shelter Housing Aid and Research Project address is 13 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD. The centres can be reached at (0116) 2546064. Call them for assistance or advice.