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Registered charity no 1120729 // registered company no 6202999 Ashwood Centre, 44a Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 2EB 07908 364112 (Destitution) 07743 189314 (Refugee). Two Projects. Refugee Project – for those just granted leave to remain. John Destitution Project
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Registered charity no 1120729 // registered company no 6202999 Ashwood Centre, 44a Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 2EB 07908 364112 (Destitution) 07743 189314 (Refugee)
Two Projects • Refugee Project – for those just granted leave to remain. John • Destitution Project – for those refused but who cannot safely return to their country of origin. Anne
Abigail HousingRefugee Project • NASS leavers / 28 days notice • No specialist state provision • 50 beds in 14 properties • Concentration close to city centre • 21 hostel beds – LHA exempt rent • 29 LHA rent – 10% fee Abigail Housing Registered charity no 1120729 // registered company no 6202999 Ashwood Centre, 44a Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 2EB 07908 364112 (Destitution) 07743 189314 (Refugee)
Hostels • Designed for new refugees – esp re utilities. • Referrals. • £127 / week - £59 to landlord. • Rent covers some central admin and staffing costs. • Utility costs – half from Housing Ben / half from Service Charge. • 9 months stay. • Homeless assessments. • Working residents ...?!
Lettings • Designed for move on or established refugees. • Unlimited stay. • Like a not for profit lettings agent. • We find residents, manage turn over, provide basic support, receive direct payments. • Residents take full responsibility for bills – balance between staying warm and avoiding fuel debt. • Top up meters in shared houses. • Working residents.
Support Package • Housing – furnished, bedding, kitchen equipment. • New area – shops, library, public transport, health care. • Benefits – Housing Ben, JSA / ESA. • UKBA – loans, travel document. • Move on – choiced based lettings / bidding, Housing Associations. • Correspondence. • English. • Family reunions.
LHA exempt rents • Part of the traditional funding package for supported housing. • Generally used alongside Supporting People money. • LAs negotiating rent down - subsidy arrangements. • 2012-13 is the last year. • 2013-14 ...?!
Shared Accommodation Rate • Local Housing Allowance - ceiling for private sector Housing Benefit levels. • From 01/01/12: • Shared accommodation £61.50 • one Bedroom accommodation £100.38 • two Bedroom accommodation £121.15 • three Bedroom accommodation £138.46 • four Bedroom accommodation £184.62 • Now - people under 35 can only claim up to the SAR / £61.50, i.e. Housing Benefit will not pay enough for you to live in self contained accommodation, e.g. £100.38 • Effects – force more people into shared accommodation, unless landlords agree to reduce the rent ...
Shared Accommodation Rate • Why the age change? • Reduce Housing Benefit bill. • Encourage people into work. • But ... Are there enough shared houses? • Do people want to share? • Is it appropriate for people to share? • E.g people who have been homeless, people with problems relating to substance misuse or poor mental health, parents separated but still with access to their children, refugees. • Are there any jobs? • What can you do? • Contact your MP. • More info: • www.myspace.com/sharedaccommodationrate • www.housingjustice.org.uk • www.daverowntree.co.uk