Support/Advice Workers - Accessing Accommodation

Barrier: The reluctance of some landlords to accept housing benefit
The Available Properties section of this website lists properties owned by landlords who are happy to offer accommodation to housing benefit recipients. This includes both landlords whose properties are managed via the CanDo Lettings Scheme and others who manage properties independently.

Barrier: Accessing well managed accommodation
The Landlord Accreditation Wales website provides details of landlords who are accredited and should therefore offer good management standards.

Barrier: Security of tenure
The CanDo Lettings Scheme offers 6 month assured shorthold tenancies but the landlord has to give 6 months notice to terminate the agreement. Should this happen Calon Lettings will endeavour to find tenants alternative accommodation as long as tenancy conditions have not been breached. Many of the other Available Properties listed on this site offer a 12 month tenancy agreement.

Barrier: Lack of support
Cardiff Council's Tenant Support Scheme offers housing related support to vulnerable adults/families to help them maintain their tenancies/accommodation and live independently. Self referrals are not accepted but Support Workers can refer. The scheme also offers a Crisis Intervention Service for victims of domestic abuse and for young people where there is an imminent threat of eviction or homelessness. Contact the Tenant Support Team if you need more information.

Social rented accommodation in Cardiff is in short supply and waiting lists are lengthy. The Waiting Time Calculator is an interactive on-line resource which can be used by Support Workers to help individuals who have already applied for social rented accommodation and are on the Waiting List to consider whether this is the best option for them. It provides information about stock and lettings, and helps individuals to consider whether their area choices and expectations of waiting times are realistic or whether they should consider other options, such as renting privately.

Cardiff Council and partner Housing Associations in the city operate a common Waiting List and Allocation Scheme for social rented accommodation in the city. Individuals who have considered their options and wish to apply can do so by contacting one of the Council Hubs, or a Housing Association office in the city. They will be asked to attend a housing application interview where their housing options will be discussed. Any changes of circumstances or revision of area choices should be notified to the Council's Social Lettings Unit.

Under the Resettlement Strategy Cardiff Council has Service Level Agreements with a number of hostels and move-on support organisations in the city to provide timely move on into social housing tenancies for qualifying clients. The organisations involved support the Council's homelessness strategic aims, and the arrangements free up bedspaces in hostels and move on accommodation for more vulnerable individuals.

There are strict referral criteria for the Resettlement Strategy which focus on applicants with a clearly established need for a social rented tenancy, who have progressed from needing intensive support within a hostel/supported environment to being able to manage an independent tenancy with floating support. Self referrals are not accepted - applications can only be made by organisations with an agreed Resettlement Strategy Service Level Agreement (SLA) and must be supported by the manager as specified in the SLA. For further information contact Cardiff Council's Social Lettings Unit on 029 2053 7259 or email resettlement@cardiff.gov.uk.

Cardiff Council's Tenant Support Scheme offers housing related support to vulnerable adults/families to help them maintain their tenancies/accommodation and live independently. Self referrals are not accepted but Support Workers can refer.

The scheme also offers a Crisis Intervention Service for victims of domestic abuse and for young people where there is an imminent threat of eviction or homelessness. Contact the Tenant Support Team if you need more information.

Housing Benefit is paid to people on low incomes to help them to pay their rent. Applications for benefit should be made as promptly as possible as benefit will usually only be paid from the Monday after the form is received by the Council. Support Workers should make sure that all the information required is supplied on the application form, and that all relevant supporting information is enclosed, to avoid delays. Use the checklist on the application form to check that this is the case. Connect2Cardiff (Tel: 029 2087 2087) or the Benefits & Finance Advice Centre at Marland House can help with any queries.

Applicants may be happy to authorise the Housing Benefit Section to share information with their Support Worker to enable them to act on their behalf - there is a section on the application form to facilitate this, or alternatively permission can be requested by the tenant in writing at a later date.

Do not delay - always make a claim!

Remember that any changes in circumstances should always be notified to the Housing Benefit Section.

There are a number of questions that may be asked about Housing Benefit - here are some relevant answers:

How much will be paid?
The maximum amount of Housing Benefit that can be paid to an individual or family depends on the size of property they need and is set by Local Housing Allowance rates. The actual amount that will be paid may be less than this as income and savings are taken into account.

Remember that single people under the age of 35 are only entitled to the shared accommodation rate whatever type of accommodation they live in, unless they are care leavers under the age of 22 or they have a severe disability premium in Housing Benefit, Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (income based).

Who is it paid to?
Housing Benefit is generally paid to the tenant unless there is good reason not to do so, for instance if the tenant has substantial rent arrears or is likely to have difficulty in managing their financial affairs.

Is advice available?
Cardiff Council offers a number of services to provide advice regarding Housing Benefit issues. These include:

• A dedicated Landlord Liaison Team which works closely with private landlords to provide up to date information and advice, and to ensure that Housing Benefit claims and reviews are dealt with as quickly and accurately as possible. If you have a query about your client's Housing Benefit claim (and they have given the Housing Benefit Team permission to share information with you) contact the Team on 029 2053 7292
• A Benefit Take Up Team to promote the take up of Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit and assist with claims if necessary. They offer quick Housing Benefit estimates over the 'phone if you are unable to use the online calculator or have any queries. The Team also offers information sessions for Support Workers to improve understanding of Housing Benefit issues. Contact them on 029 2053 7537 to arrange a visit to your organisation.

Can claims be backdated?
Housing Benefit is usually paid from the Monday after the application form is received by the Council. However backdating may be possible if there is good reason for the claim being delayed, for instance due to health issues, or an inability to deal with their own affairs. Complete Part 16 of the application form to request that the claim is backdated and provide any relevant supporting information.