Ryedale Homeshare Foundation Danielle Vidler & Lindsay Hyde Working to offer a unique solution to homelessness ‘Working to offer a unique solution to those in housing need’

About Foundation and the Ryedale Homeshare Scheme Foundation has made a name for itself by working with disadvantaged people in the UK. We are passionate about what we do, working in the heart of local communities. The service has been set up to match householders who have spare bedrooms with those in housing need Our client group includes landlords, hosts and non – priority low need customers. Our customers include people on low incomes,people with low or no support needs,working people on minimum wage and people who have had to leave the family home through family breakdown to name but a few. Ryedale Homeshare

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL AUTHORITY The Housing Solutions Team is a partnership between Ryedale District council and Foundation. The team offers non- priority low- needs customers help in getting on the housing ladder by giving them access to housing in the Private Rented Sector and the option of sharing accommodation. Lodgings will not be suitable for everyone and will be a more appropriate sharing arrangement for certain customer groups. Potential lodgers referred to the scheme will have been through the assessment process and will be deemed ready for independent living.Where tenants are too high risk or cannot provide adequate references they will not be housed in this scheme but will be referred to more appropriate dedicated supported housing. The Housing Solutions team work very closely with the Housing Benefits department, Yorkshire Housing and Stonham to identify households who may have an interest in having a lodger. Relevant literature both for hosts and lodgers has been produced and outlines what to expect from us. We carry out interviews with hosts in their homes to ensure they are suitable for the scheme Ryedale Homeshare

HOW WE WORK WITH LANDLORDS? WHAT DO WE OFFER THEM? The team also offers a Housing Management service aimed at landlords accommodating our customers. Apart from the day to day management of the accommodation we also troubleshoot where problems may arise. These can range from non payment of rent, maintenance issues, top up rent problems and anti social behaviour as well as housing benefits issues and council tax problems to name but a few. We source the tenants for landlords – therefore saving them money/time on advertising costs, and meaning properties are empty for a shorter space of time. We also offer assistance with bond payments, and rent in advance. Ryedale Homeshare

Shared Room Rate in our area SharedWeeklyCalendar Monthly Malton/Norton£66.43£ Kirbymoorside/ Pickering £56.34£ Rents in Ryedale can vary depending on the size of the property, it’s condition and location. As a guide these are the local housing allowance rates for a room in a shared house. Due to the changes to the shared accommodation rate the number of people trying to access shared accommodation has increased.The Housing Solutions team are procuring landlords who would be willing to have sharers in their accommodation The average price for a room in the area is between £80-£90 for a double room (including bills) Ryedale Homeshare

SUCCESSES 14 tenancies created since January of these have ended – all with positive results (only 1 before the 6 month target) Close working relationship built up with the local authority Have learnt what does/doesn’t work well in shared accommodation Raised profile in the local area of what the scheme can offer – with 3 Landlords using the scheme twice Ryedale Homeshare

CHALLENGES WE HAVE FACED Housing Benefit issues – 14 week backlog with the local authority – meaning Landlords would not accept anyone claiming Housing Benefit. Customers who have never had a tenancy/licence before needing almost daily support. Managing Landlord’s expectations Perceptions of Landlord’s/Local Letting Agents of those on Housing Benefit, and overcoming these objections. Lack of suitable properties in our area Managing client’s expectations of what is affordable, and that sharing may be a necessity Ryedale Homeshare