1st
Sep 2023
A council is asking landlords to work alongside the authority and Probation Service to house ex-offenders in suitable accommodation.
Gateshead council says the Accommodation for Ex-Offenders (AFEO) scheme and partnership has been pivotal in helping the tenants turn their life around and learn new skills to contribute back into society.
The scheme’s main aim is to reduce the number of ex-offenders rough sleeping and remaining homeless to create sustainable tenancy agreements with landlords. The council and partners will provide back up support to both tenants and landlords.
The council has now received additional funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities which now allows it to continue with what it calls “the success of our Offenders Homeless Prevention Pathway”.
One of the key aims of the AFEO scheme was to establish 15 new private tenancies for ex-offenders in Gateshead within its first twelve months and by March 2023 it managed to create 14 tenancies.
The council has received an extra two years’ funding from the DLUHC and the operation has set itself a target of an additional 15 tenancies each year and by the end of 2025 it hopes to achieve an overall total of 45 ex-offender tenancies.
A council statement says: “The scheme works by providing landlords with financial incentives including landlord insurance, which can be accessed alongside support that ensures their properties meets the required health and safety standards.”
However the council aims to reassure prospective landlords that if there are any tenancy problems. such as a tenant falling behind with rent, one of its Homeless Support Workers will arrange contact between the landlord and the tenant to resolve the issue.
A council spokesperson says: "The scheme so far has provided 14 tenancies in Gateshead, for people who would have otherwise struggled to find private accommodation. They have received intensive support in relation to applying for benefits, job seeking, as well as support in how to sustain their tenancy, and we're now seeing these individuals thrive, with a new found confidence and positivity for the future.
"The landlords and letting agents we have worked with have been excellent, often going above and beyond for their tenants. I really can't thank them enough for the chance they have given to these people who otherwise may have still been sofa surfing or in temporary accommodation."
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