Landlords fund-raising for the homeless

A bit like the old prefabs. I would live in one if skint. I have seen others used in Dublin for the homeless
We have a fantastic centre and housing just built around the corner for veterans. State of the art.

Reply to the comment left by john lown at 29/11/2017 - 11:11
The UK has a shockingly bad track record in looking after its armed forces once they leave their military role. Whilst serving, personnel are not prepared for Civvi Street, money management or being alone after years of being part of a huge team. It is no surprise that so many become homeless. Simply providing a roof over one's head is not always sufficient; sometimes there are mental health issues which add to the terrible situation. Unfortunately Shelter, doesn't do what it says on the tin; but this proposal could work. Good luck everyone; hope it takes off.

Dr Beck proposes a great idea (yet again). But could I suggest that this idea be executed by being a charitable fund that distributes grants to existing housing programmes. It would be very easy to make an impact without the people and property problems that are associated with owning tenanted accommodation. Existing programmes should have the relevant experience to deliver within their own housing market, such as that described above in Sheffield. By being a grant giving organisation we could target different sectors of the housing problem with a degree of flexibility property ownership precludes.
What necessary skills we lack in identifying distribution targets can be overcome by straight forward advertising and enabling diverse housing charities to approach us for funds.

Reply to the comment left by at 04/12/2017 - 21:31
Thanks reader. Yes, we are thinking more along those lines now and I will update everyone on 118 when we know exactly how we are proceeding with this.

Hi All,
Just a quick question regarding homelessness.
Apart from Sheffield, do you know of any other councils around the UK that have a Private Rented Solutions scheme, where the council will facilitate, then offer continuing tenancy support between a vulnerable / homeless person and a private landlord, thus easing the councils "legal duty" list ?

Reply to the comment left by Steven Tennant at 05/12/2017 - 07:06Hi Steven
I'm sure that many other Councils will have similar schemes, but each will differ to some extent as they are usually local initiatives.
I know that in South Oxfordshire, they had a scheme that gives tenants a loan for the rent in advance (paid direct to the landlord) and provides a paper bond (guarantee against rent arrears and damage). As part of this scheme they can liaise with the landlord to help resolve any issues that arise. My tenant was referred by the Council in 2009 and is still there. I presume this scheme is still operating as they have not advised me of it being withdrawn in relation to my tenant there.
I know that Birmingham have recently started a homelessness prevention "task force", which aims to work with landlords to help prevent homelessness. I don't know if they have a scheme for referring tenants to you, but they did help me resolve a situation with their HB team in which a series of errors/failures by the HB team (and housing support officers in prison) had lead to my tenant being without HB for over 3 months, and then they refused to re-instate and backdate the HB (would only treat it as a new application). The homelessness prevention task force intervened and resolved this matter.
I'm not aware of other Councils' schemes, but that is probably simply because I have not needed to use them. However, I imagine that many councils will have similar schemes, and this will increase further with the introduction of the new Homelessness Prevention duties that are being imposed on Councils.

The schemes tend to be more, crisis intervention (to prevent homelessness), rather than the provision of ongoing tenancy support.

I recall speaking to a landlord a few years ago who had a very good scheme running with a council (It could have been Leeds, but don't hold me to that) The council needed to open a couple of refuges, but didn't want or couldn't afford to buy the necessary properties. So they asked this landlord to buy the properties and they leased them from him, put the tenants in and, crucially, managed the tenancy. The landlord had to agree to a 7 year lease (I know not possible with all lenders) and at the end of the term the deal was he got his property back, fully repaired and decorated. I know we have the scandal of people living on the streets, but there are thousands of parents and children living in B&Bs and a whole range of unsuitable accommodation. I can see the reason for focussing on people with no roof over their heads, but if we can't work out the support network issues in the short term, maybe we should widen the net? I'm also wondering whether a few of us should go and talk to our local councils, tell them the PRS community is looking into ways to help the homeless, and ask for their ideas. It could be quite illuminating and we might identify one or two forward thinking councils who would want to work with us.

Reply to the comment left by Annie Landlord at 05/12/2017 - 21:57
Hi Annie

This Council scheme that you mention sounds very similar to the scheme that I operate, whereby I lease properties from other private landlords on a 5 or 6 year lease, and then I sub-let the properties to homeless people, and I manage the tenancies. I've heard of councils doing this when letting out a full property, e.g. to a homeless family, but I've not come across any schemes where they lease from a private landlord and then let out the property as rooms (such as would be the case in a hostel or refuge).

If Councils are now leasing from private landlords and letting out rooms to homeless single people then this is a big step forward for them as they usually shirk away from providing HMOs due to the high risks and extremely draconian HMO regulations. Councils may be exempt from many of the HMO regulations, but non-compliance with such regulations would be extremely embarrassing for them (as they are the body that also regulates and prosecutes for non-compliance with HMO regs).

Reply to the comment left by Robert Mellors at 05/12/2017 - 22:22
This was 4 or 5 years ago Robert. Both properties were used as women's refuges for women and children fleeing from domestic abuse. I wonder when councils will finally realise that the housing crisis can only be alleviated with the support of private landlords

We have such schemes here in central Scotland run by Link PSL who are the middleman between private landlords and the council.
I have used them for many years and have nothing but praise for the scheme. Landlords can choose anything I think from 2,3,5 or 10 year leases. I have had some flats with them and ther predecessor for more than 10 years and never once seen the flats or had an issue. Not all are like this but the majority are. I have had some back in better condition than I gave them lol
They pay 3 months in advance, guaranteed, even if there is a void! Downside is that the housing benefit has been frozen for years and the rents are not that great anymore but still comparable to market rent for ex council flats as they include their management fee.
Not sure it is a great thing for the country as the council pays them a lot more than they would pay me directly. Cut out the middleman, pay landlords direct and save millions - not rocket science!