Wealden, like most of the Southeast of England, is experiencing a serious shortage of affordable housing. Traditionally, households that would have been first time buyers can no longer afford home ownership as an option. The private rented sector is also becoming increasingly difficult to access and many more people are now turning to the Council’s Housing Register as an option. Unfortunately, the impact of more people occupying a position on the Housing Register means longer waiting times for everyone.
Accommodation in Wealden is not best suited for young, single households. The private rented sector in Wealden is small, it comprises of approximately 5.5% of the total amount of housing in the area. Additionally, a lot of housing is designed for families and not necessarily for single households, unlike neighbouring seaside resorts that have an amount of single household accommodation within converted Victorian and Edwardian terraced properties.
Housing Costs
One difficulty commonly encountered by young people is based around affordability. The prospect of securing a mortgage large enough to buy a property is out of reach for many young people in Wealden. The private rented sector is also expensive and routinely costs more than £1000.00 to access before a tenant must start paying rent.
Another difficulty which affects young people is commonly known as the “under 25 rule” or is more properly known as the Single Room Rent Determination which means that Housing Benefit departments will only pay part of the rent for a tenant if they are under 25 years of age. This will mean most people between 18 and 25 years will receive significantly less Housing Benefit than a person over the age of 25. If you have ever been in “Care” via Social Services then this rule may not affect you. You are strongly advised to inform any agency you are dealing with about your care background as it may mean receive more assistance.
Benefits
Another difficulty based around benefits is the necessity to prove “estrangement” to the Benefit Agency. This means that you must prove that you are no longer allowed, entitled or welcome at your parent(s) or legal guardian’s address. You may be entitled to work and earn a wage as well as claim benefits, housing or otherwise, for more information you should contact the Benefit Agency directly.
Youth Homelessness
All people facing homelessness must be assessed in order to determine whether they qualify for housing by the local authority. There is a detailed explanation for this criteria to be found on www.wealden.gov.uk under the heading of Homelessness. Basically, the assessment comprises of:
Homelessness – is the applicant entitled to remain in their accommodation.
Priority Need - is the applicant in priority need – as defined within legislation.
Intentionality - has the applicant deliberately acted or failed to act in such a way to cause the loss of their home.
Local Connection - does the applicant possess a local connection (as defined in legislation) to the local authority to which they are applying.
In the event that an applicant meets the above criteria then a local authority will owe a housing duty. Normally this will mean a bedsit or studio flat is offered to the applicant and placed in temporary accommodation until such time that the property is available. Further independent Homelessness advice is available on england.shelter.org.uk.
People facing homelessness who are aged between 16 and 17 will need to be assessed by both Social Services and the Housing Department. This is known as a Joint Housing Assessment. An applicant would need to contact both the Housing Department and the Social Service’s Leaving Care Team for an assessment. If you have ever been in “care” it is worth mentioning this fact to an Adviser. In the event that an applicant is qualified for assistance then they may be offered some form of lodgings or supported housing.
Advice and Assistance
Everyone is entitled to receive advice and assistance from a Housing Adviser that is tailored to their needs. An appointment should be made with an Adviser in order to explore an applicant’s housing options. Advice about accessing privately rented accommodation will be given. Housing rights are very complicated and you may assume that a Council cannot help you when in fact it can. Often many issues creep into a homelessness situation which can be addressed by other agencies as well as the Council eg. domestic violence or drug misuse. On occasion it is possible to assist people into the private rented sector via the Wealden Deposit Guarantee Scheme which is available to people who do not necessarily qualify for rehousing by the Council.
Tenancy Relations Issues
The Council will also assist you if you are having difficulties with a landlord or landlady. The Council has some responsibilities towards tenants if they are facing difficulties from a landlord who may not be acting lawfully. In extreme cases the Council will prosecute a landlord where an unlawful eviction has taken place. In these circumstances it is always helpful to talk to a solicitor about the matter.
Housing Register
Wealden’s Housing Register lists all applicants waiting for either Council or Housing Association property. The Housing Register is the only route to permanent housing. In order to be considered for a number of housing options such as the Shared Ownership www.moat.co.uk or the Deposit Guarantee Scheme you will be required to occupy a position on the Housing Register. Presently, the Housing Register is a points based system which assesses a person’s housing needs.
