Scheme helps people find accommodation 

A COUNCIL-RUN programme to help people threatened with homelessness find a place to live in the borough is changing lives. 

With over 100 success stories since the scheme started in April 2008, the Rent Assist scheme administered by the strategic housing team enables eligible people to find accommodation in the private rented sector. 

The scheme provides tenants with up to four weeks’ rent in advance and pays a damages bond to landlords of up to £400. 

The tenants then pay the money back to the council in affordable weekly or fortnightly instalments, building up their own deposit for future moves. 

The programme provides support to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or just in need of help finding accommodation. 

It also provides people with a choice of where they want to live and makes sure that the property is affordable and of a decent standard. 

Before a potential tenant can move in, the property is inspected by the council’s private sector renewal officer. 

A single mum and her four children were one of the first families to find a home through the scheme. 

“Without the Rent Assist scheme I wouldn’t have had the money to get the accommodation in Grimsby,” she said. 

“The team were really good, they sorted everything out for me really quickly. They helped me with the forms and even made all the phone calls to the landlord for me.” 

For further information about Rent Assist telephone (01472) 326401 or email rent.assist@nelincs.gov.uk