Running since the start of April 2012 the Justlife Private Rented Sector (PRS) housing scheme (funded by Crisis) has just helped a tenth person move into their own tenancy.Nigel Fyles, PRS scheme manager has built excellent relationships with landlords, partners and potential tenants to secure good quality housing and help tenants to maintain tenancies.Most recently Nigel has moved Pete* into a new tenancy. Pete has been living in temporary and B&B accommodation for the past 5 years and has been coming to Justlife since it was set up as a drop in weekly meal from a local church.Over the years we have built up a good relationship with Pete and he has regularly attended Justlife workshops and drop-ins. In June, Pete expressed an interest in moving on and Nigel began to work with him to prepare him for a tenancy. Pete’s aim was to be in his own place by Christmas, with concerns that it would be difficult to find somewhere.On 31st July we were able to move Pete into his own home. The home had recently been refurbished and is spacious. As well as help to move his belongings, we also gave him a move in pack which included towels and bed linens and helped him secure the property with the admin fee.Pete was delighted to move in at the end of July as this would mean his son could visit him and enjoy the freedom and space of the new home.Pete is also volunteering at Justlife and doing really well. We will continue to work with him to support him in his tenancy and to continue to move on.Nigel is working with 5 other people to help them move from low grade B&B accommodation or homelessness towards securing tenancies. Shelter is such a basic need and an unstable housing situation often prevents people addressing other issues in their life. The PRS scheme is just one way we are addressing the housing issues of service users.*Name changed for confidentiality.
