TENANCY SUPPORT
Housing opportunities continue to be limited within Leeds and surrounding areas, with offender related supported housing providers being subject to financial cuts and closure under the re-organisation of housing provision. Furthermore, private landlords are increasingly reluctant to take on the uncertainty of housing ex-offenders / vulnerable individuals, particularly due to the impact of universal credit.
The scheme offers landlords the confidence and long-term support needed to offer their properties to accommodate high-risk offenders by guaranteeing rent payments and managing any issues related to the Service User being accommodated there.
Our aim is to provide homes rather than houses where tenants can work towards long term goals and feel safe enough to want to build a new life. Only properties that meet our minimum standard of repair, decor and fittings are accepted onto the scheme. This indicates to the Service User that they are deserving of a decent home and allows them to see themselves as ‘normal’ people and worthy of inclusion within normal communities rather than being marginalised and only being worthy of deprived areas where offending is the ‘norm’ and expected of them.
New and innovative ways of providing services is key to providing opportunities to those who need them most and we feel that the Axis SL model has proven to provide an opportunity to demonstrate an alternative way to achieve positive results. Axis SL staff liaise closely with Housing Benefit, Leeds Homes, DWP departments and Utility suppliers to help Service Users overcome problems, resolve property maintenance issues and sustain regular finances thereby resulting in them learning the skills to maintain a long term tenancy.
The Licence to Occupy system enables flexibility in the placing of residents and on occasions the quick movement of Service Users from one property to another if the need arises for example where the safety of the Service User or the security/well being of previous victims or local residents is in jeopardy.
Liaison between Staff and NPS continues throughout the service users' tenancy and contributes to the swift identification of increasing Risk factors and strategies being put in place to address these risks. support is provided on an individual needs basis meaning that each service user receives support that is relevant to themselves, which in turn enables them to make positive steps and achieve personal goals that are pertinent and appropriate to their circumstances.
What do we provide:
Private Landlords the confidence to accommodate those otherwise denied access to private rentals
Referral forms for completion and submission to Axis SL by secure CJSM e-mail service
Liaison with Supervising Probation Officers to approve appropriate addresses
Service Users with fully furnished, single occupancy homes ready to live in
Service Users with help to set up Housing Benefit and Utilities when moving in
Service Users with regular contacts based on a Needs Assessment agreed at Referral
Service Users with an individual support plan. Signposting to relevant organisations and agencies to resolve problems at the earliest opportunity rather than waiting until crisis point.
Ongoing exchange of information with Supervising Probation Officers.
Continued support as Service Users complete their Licence period and lose that Supervision/support of their Probation Officer
