Camden relaunches landlord appeal that supported over 20 homeless residents into accommodation

Camden Council is relaunching an appeal for landlords to support homeless residents following a successful appeal in 2020, which helped 22 people experiencing homelessness into suitable private rented accommodation.

This time around affordable private rented accommodation is required for families and single people who have mobility needs.

Landlords in Camden and other areas are particularly being urged to come forward if they have studio flats or one or two bed properties on the ground or first floor, or a property in a block with access to a lift.

Landlords will be offered cash incentives and extensive support for them and their tenants in exchange for letting to residents who are at risk of homelessness or who are ready to move on from homelessness services and live independently. 

One private landlord who lets out one-bed flats with Camden Lettings scheme to single parent families, expressed his commitment to helping people who are struggling.

‘I carefully considered the overall package, the incentive payment and local housing allowance rate offered by Camden and compared it with offers from the private market. Although offers from the private market were considerably better financially, I decided to accept the offer from Camden because of the commitment to help people with housing issues. I have friends who have struggled with housing issues, so I saw this as an opportunity to make a positive contribution to a solution.”

Securing suitable homes for these residents will help people who are often vulnerable and sometimes spend long periods in temporary accommodation due to a lack of suitable housing.

It will also free up vital council resources to provide quicker support to rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness.

Therefore, Camden is appealing for landlords to support their local community in the fight against homelessness by letting a property at or below the local housing allowance rate, which will help create an opportunity for someone to leave homelessness behind for good. 

In exchange, the council is offering landlords a cash incentive of up to £2,000 to let a one bed property and up to £4,500 for a two-bed property as well as an extensive package of support that includes: 

• Support from our Move on Team and Floating Support Service – dedicated services that are ready to assist residents as they move on from homelessness. The teams provide tenants with guidance on finances, credit checks, utilities and managing housing benefit and other claims.
• Pre-tenancy training from the Piece-by-Piece Programme or Good Tenant Session – these services help residents to prepare for their tenancy by ensuring that they understand, and know how to meet, their tenancy and financial responsibilities.
• Advisers that will remain available throughout the lifetime of the tenancy. 

To find out more or to register your interest please email [email protected], phone 020 7974 4158 or visit camden.gov.uk/camden-lettings