Housing Options and Homelessness Advice

Who are we?

The Housing Options Service in Doncaster has recently been re launched and improved to meet the diverse needs of customers within our borough. Our main aims include:-

• To work in partnership with our customers and various organisations to continually develop the service to ensure positive housing outcomes and preventing people from becoming homeless.
• To work with the Private Sector service to improve the quality of the housing offered, which will help provide to more affordable housing for the residents of Doncaster
• Working in partnership to ensure vulnerable households are supported and integrated into the wider community via the Housing Options Floating tenancy support service
• Reducing the use of temporary accommodation thus reducing expenditure
• Empowering customers to be able to able to access employment, training and education opportunities
• To deliver the authorities statutory duties in respect of homeless people as required by the Housing Act 1996 and amended by the Homelessness Act 2004
• To deliver a Gypsy & Traveller liaison service that deal with matters relating to gypsy and travellers

DVD to educate young people about housing services

A DVD called Housing Options has been launched to educate young people about housing services in Doncaster as part of Doncaster Council's new smarter ways of working. It aims to educate 14–17-year-olds about the help on offer, should they find themselves struggling to find somewhere to live in the future.

Housing Options DVD

How We Can Help

There are a number of tools the Housing Options Team use to prevent homelessness and assist customers in remain in their own home.

Social Housing

For information on applying for social housing please visit www.doncasterhomechoice.co.uk or contact 01302 862628. Application forms can also be found at all council offices

Private rented accommodation

This is one of the biggest sources of accommodation for people accessing accommodation in Doncaster. There are numerous ways to find private rented accommodation.

• Using a landlord and letting agent list and contacting them direct

• Looking in local newspapers

• Local shops may display adverts

• Asking friends and family for details of their landlord/letting agent

Be aware that some landlords ask for money up front before you are able to move into a property, this may be a bond or rent in advance.

Useful information on bonds and private renting can be found at: Tenancies, deposits and rent: Directgov - Home and community

The Housing Options team run both a paper bond scheme and a rent in advance scheme, however to be accepted onto these scheme is subject to certain criteria, that would be accessed during a Housing Options interview

There also may be alternative options for customers that are not eligible for these schemes
South Yorkshire Credit Union – Call 03030 300010, or visit one of their offices:

Barnsley branch: 70 Market Street, Barnsley, S70 1SN

Denaby branch: 9 Grays Court, Denaby, DN12 4UW

Goldthorpe branch: 49 Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe, S63 9LT

Stainforth branch: 8 Station Road, Stainforth, DN7 5QA

Waterdale branch: 5 Queensgate, Doncaster, DN1 3JN

Wombwell branch: 59/61 High Street, Wombwell, S73 8HS

Housing Options work in close partnership with the Private Sector Housing Team and Housing Benefit to ensure that any private rented accommodation we refer customers into is affordable and of a required standard.

Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit

It is important to be aware that new changes in housing benefit came into effect in January 2012 affected Private Sector tenants, aged 25-35. If you think you are going to be affected by these changes please contact 01302 862021 for further advice.

It is also important you are also claming all the income you are entitled to. Directgov.uk has designed a tool to help you with this: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

General information on how to claim Housing Benefit and Council can be sought by using the following link: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Buying a Property

If you are working, you may be able to consider buying a property. Most banks or building societies will give you a free quotation on whether you could get a mortgage with them, and how much your payment would be. Getting a mortgage can be difficult though if you have previous debts and a bad credit rating.

If you cannot afford to buy a property there are government schemes in place to help subject to availability and criteria.

For more information visit; http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/HomeBuyingSchemes/DG_4001347

If you a secure tenant of a council property you may also be eligible for the right to buy subject to certain criteria. For more information please visit the Right to Buy page.

Supported Accommodation

Women's Aid

Women's Aid is the national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.  Women's Aid provides confidential advice, support and temporary accommodation for women and their children.

Tel: (01302) 326411
Asian Women Advice Line: (01302) 340063
Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Fax: (01302) 321432 
Or email: mail@doncaster-womens-aid.co.uk

Doncaster Foyer

Doncaster Foyer is owned and run by Salvation Army Housing Association and is located on Chequer Road next to the clinic. The Foyer provides accommodation, support and training under one roof for 40 young single people aged between 16 and 25 years old. Residents are able to stay at The Foyer for up to 2 years with the aim of moving on to more independent accommodation. All residents are allocated a key worker to assist them during their tenancy and they are expected to sign up to a personal development plan. Doncaster Foyer is an accredited Foyer and provides resident’s access to the in-house City and Guilds Profile of Achievement qualification.

For information about Doncaster Foyer contact: (01302) 764800
Or visit their website www.saha.org.uk

YMCA

Doncaster YMCA on Wood Street provides housing and support for young people aged between 18 and 25 years. YMCA provides 26 furnished apartments for young people and amongst the support available is a life skills programme and support for residents who have moved to more independent accommodation. Applications will be accepted directly from individuals or by referral from appropriate agencies. Application forms are available from the YMCA, Wood Street, Doncaster.

Tel: (01302) 342148
http://www.doncasterymca.org.uk/wp/

Doncaster Housing for Young People - DHYP

Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) provide support and accommodation for 16 - 25 year olds.  A supported lodgings scheme, outreach and advice services for young vulnerable, homeless people are available to encourage sustainable independent living. Homelessness prevention work is undertaken to help vulnerable young people successfully maintain their tenancies.

Tel: (01302) 321956 / 321953 / 738198 or email dhyp@btconnect.com

M25

The M25 Group provides support and accommodation and has two hostels in Doncaster

• Wharf House, Wharf Road, Doncaster

A thirty room purpose built supported Housing provision for homeless people. Their aim is to provide excellent accommodation, support and access to health services, training and employment for their customers in preparation for moving into their own accommodation quickly and effectively.

Tel: (01302) 558010 or visit http://www.m25group.org.uk/wharf-house.html

• Open House Plus – College Road

A twenty six room purpose built hostel provision for homeless people. The accommodation is aimed at customers who will receive support to develop the skills to live independently.
All referrals are made by Housing Options Service. Please contact Housing Options at the details provided at the top of the page

Support to live independently

Doncaster YMCA is currently running a private sector scheme for young people aged 18 – 35 offering tenancy training and support to be able to access accommodation in the Private Sector.

For more information on the scheme including FAQ’s and how to apply, please visit

http://www.doncasterymca.org.uk/wp/homelessness/private-rented-sector-project/

If you are moving into social Housing or private rented accommodation you may require assistance with setting your tenancy up, budgeting advice to assistance with health. Tenancy Support services can provide this support and will tailor it to individual need. For further information on how our Tenancy Support service could benefit you please access the following link: Housing Options Tenancy Support Team

To discuss any of the options further you can contact the Housing Options team on
01302 862043 or email housingoptionsteam@doncaster.gov.uk

The Housing Options team also offer an appointment system where customers will receive an interview in a private room with a trained housing options support officer to complete a personalised plan based on individual need.

Interesting Facts

Interesting fact!

In 2010/2011 – The Housing Options Team prevented 908 people from becoming homeless, this was mainly assisting customers into private rented accommodation

Current news!

On the 8th March 2012 The Welfare Reform became an Act which introduces changes to the benefits and tax credits systems. For more information on how these changes will affect you please visit http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/

Partners & Agencies that could also help

Advice and Information

Shelter

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, believes everyone needs a home in a place where they can thrive. They help over 170,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. They also tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies, and solutions. For further information please access the following link: http://england.shelter.org.uk/

CAB

The Citizens Advice service in Doncaster operates a generalist advice service for all residents. Each client is offered an initial gateway interview to assess their advice needs, with follow up appointments or referral to specialist services as appropriate. Specialist advice services are available in Welfare Benefits and debt issues.

It also helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers. For more information please telephone 01302-735221 or access the following link: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/doncab.htm

Money Matters

Money matters provide free and confidential advice on money worries and debt problems. For more information please telephone 01302 866466 or visit; www.dwdt.org.uk

Health Service
For information and advice call 01302 565656 or email: enquiries@doncasterpct.nhs.uk

Work and Training

DWP - Job Centre Plus

The Job Centre Plus in Doncaster can provide a wide range of jobs for those actively seeking employment.
Crossgate House, Wood Street, Town Centre, Doncaster, DN1 3LL
Tel: 01302 503503
http://www.jobsdoncaster.co.uk/

Connexions

Provides support and information to young people aged between13 – 19, fur further information please access the following link: Connexions

Bentley training Centre

The Housing Options service are working closely with Bentley training centre to offer various opportunities for people aged 14-65 to work towards a qualification in construction. For information please telephone 01302 862655 or for more information visit the following page; Bentley Training Centre

Create

The Housing Options Service work closely with the Create academy that provide training, support and a pathway into employment. For more information please telephone 01302 365633.

Success Doncaster

Success Doncaster is an exciting programme run by Doncaster Council working collaboratively with the public, private, voluntary and community sector across the Borough. It offers you, Doncaster businesses, communities and individuals, support to start your own business, assist your existing business to develop and grow and to develop employment skills and entrepreneurial potential.  Success Doncaster provides a wide range of confidential support, advice and guidance to help you move back into work, gain a better job and to improve your skills.

Blue Building
38 - 40 High Street
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 1DE
Tel: 01302 734554
Email: info@successdoncaster.co.uk