Securing Tenancies During Lockdown

The Welsh Government funded schemes assist people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness to find private rented accommodation – a challenge at any time but particularly during a period of national lockdown.

Working with 11 local authorities across six counties we are busier than we have been for a long time, dealing with queries from tenants, landlords and members of the public who are concerned about how COVID-19 will affect them.

The team are seeing an increased demand of the service from people who have led transient lifestyles and have previously relied on the hospitality of friends and family prior to lockdown.

Sofa surfers have made up the largest increase in referrals, although the team are responding quickly to the needs of many people. In the last eighteen working days, they have managed to source, view, inspect, draw up paperwork, claim benefits and create 21 long term tenancies in the Private Sector with landlord and agents.

As essential workers, the team have been present and able to ensure that the landlords with whom we work are still able to run their businesses. The tenants we have previously housed have a point of contact for their concerns and the local authorities are asking for our help and expertise in sourcing properties for vulnerable people in these difficult times.

“My teams see this as nothing more than their jobs. But for the people we assist, they are changing lives. I know that everyone is going above and beyond at this moment and hope that the difficult circumstances we all find ourselves in will make for a more positive look on homeless services in the future” Rachel Rodrigues - Bond Scheme Manager

We have been rehousing lots of different client groups, we were even approached by some NHS staff and found accommodation so that they can be nearer to hospitals. However, the Home Office has offered free accommodation for NHS staff for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, all the work that has been carried out, drawing up paperwork and sourcing the properties will not go to waste; the team are now supporting other homeless families into these properties.

The team has worked tirelessly with the local authorities to ensure that not only are we continuing to do the job but doing it when it is taking five times longer than usual. Co-ordinating moving in someone who has had a chaotic lifestyle is difficult at the best of times, but even more so in the current circumstances.