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RBH News
DEAL OR NO DEAL
March 02, 2010, 02:34:41 PM
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RBH has recently embarked on a new ‘Under Occupancy’ Scheme, in partnership with the Council’s Home Improvement Agency. Together we hope to provide some relief to the current housing shortage by identifying, assisting and supporting local tenants in finding a property that is more suitable for their current needs. A house may simply be too big now children have left home or you may be struggling with rising fuel bills, for example.
The Scheme receives government funding and is delivered by our Project Officer, Irena Wilkinson. The concept works by creating matches - identifying tenants living in homes in which there are spare rooms and those suffering from overcrowding. If the tenants feel it is beneficial to them, we can then offer alternative accommodation; the desired result being to free up a property for a family living in an overcrowded home. No pressure is put on tenants to take part in the scheme or to move. It is entirely optional to register for the Scheme, and incentives are available to pay for removal costs and in some cases decorating, carpets and white goods.
The project is the result of RBH and the Council recognising the mismatch in numbers between people waiting for housing and available stock, and so we feel we have come up with a solution that provides a ‘win win’ for all concerned.
Mr and Mrs Hampton were among the first to take part. Previously, they lived in a three-bedroom house, and after registering their interest, have been re-housed in a bungalow. Mrs Hampton said;
“We are really pleased. We had wanted a bungalow for years, as we struggled with getting up and down the stairs of our old house, so the move has made a huge difference. We had been waiting patiently for three years on the rehousing list, but after contacting Irena we got this in a matter of weeks.”
Paul Gordziejewicz, Interim Head of Strategic Housing Services at the Council added;
“It’s great to see the difference the Scheme can make to families like the Hamptons. We knew there was huge potential for a scheme like this to produce such positive results and we recognise the benefit to having a dedicated officer in place. Irena has only been in the post for a few weeks but has already spotted some really positive matches and is working very closely with the Overcrowding Officer based in the Council. If the scheme continues to be successful, we are keen to extend it and we have already made a bid for additional funding for 2010/11.”
If you are interested in making a move, please contact Irena Wilkinson at RBH on 01706 273787.
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