Housing Needs

Pendle Borough Council's Housing Needs team has responsibility for the following services:-

Housing Advice & Housing Options
Homelessness
Domestic Violence Services / Pendle Women's Refuge

Housing Advice

The Housing Needs team work towards helping people with general enquiries, aiming to prevent homelessness where reasonable to do so and where this is not possible, provide options for rehousing. This is done through housing advice, consideration of housing options and appropriate referrals to support organisations where required. Depending on your particular circumstances it may be possible to prevent you potentially becoming homeless or needing to seek alternative accommodation. Below are details of options which you may consider prior to seeking alternative accommodation.

I'm due to be repossessed or evicted from my current accommodation?

If you are an owner occupier - local Citizen's Advice Bureau may be able to advise you about your options which include debt advice and dealing with arrears - see Advice Agencies in and around Pendle. A range of initiatives have also been produced which may help prevent you being repossessed which include :-

General Advice - 'Are you worried about your mortgage - Get Advice Now'

Representation at Court - Court Desk provision

Support for Mortgage Interest

Homeowners Mortgage Support

Mortgage Rescue Scheme

The Government have a website http://www.direct.gov.uk/ which lists all public services. As part of a campaign to provide targeted help, this website has a campaign called 'Real Help Now'. This section of the website lists all the options available to you regarding debt problems and preventing repossessions.

If you are living in a housing association property - Housing Needs are happy to liaise on your behalf with the housing association to try and resolve issues such as rent arrears / anti-social behaviour which has resulted in you being given notice to leave.

If you are living in private rented accommodation- the Council's Housing Standards section may be able to help in resolving notices to leave, disrepair and illegal eviction issues.

I'm living in a situation where I am in fear / suffering domestic violence?

If you feel that you require some support / advice regarding this issue, there are a number of agencies who are able to help.

Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative (tel: 01282 726000) are a charity set up to offer advice and assistance so that you are aware of all your legal options. You may choose to seek legal advice which may help to resolve the situation or seek support such as the sanctuary scheme where alarms and security features could be fitted to help you remain safely in your own home. Pendle Domestic Violence Initiative or Housing Needs may also be able to help you access a refuge should you require it - such as Pendle Women's Refuge.

I'm being asked to leave by my parents?

Housing Needs may be able to help with such disputes which may enable you to remain within the family home. If you feel you would benefit from mediation please contact Housing Needs direct.

Housing Options

Where it is not possible to prevent homelessness, there are a number of options for rehousing and support in and around Pendle which include :

Applying for a Housing Association Property - A number of Housing Associations have homes for rent in the Pendle Area. They are organisations whose purpose is to offer a good standard of accommodation at reasonable rents. The Council have entered into a partnership with other Councils and housing associations in the Pennine Lancashire area to allocate housing under the B-with-us choice-based lettings scheme. Using B-with-us, you can choose the right home from a list of available properties in the area you would like to live.

Supported Housing - There are a number of supported housing schemes and housing related support project that operate in and around the Pendle area. All cater for persons who have specific support needs.

http://www.plumlife.co.uk/ - Plumlife, part of Great Places Housing Group, is a not for profit company that specialises in shared ownership and low cost home ownership schemes. Plumlife sell properties on a shared ownership basis, and some for outright sale, all over the North West and are the only provider of Open Market Homebuy in the area. For further information contact Plumlife.

Private Rented Sector Housing - One of the quickest ways to find alternative accommodation within Pendle is to consider renting privately. This link covers information you may need to consider prior to taking on a private rented tenancy, how to pay for private rented accommodation through local housing allowance and how tenancy protection schemes work.

Bond Guarantee Scheme - The Council operates a Bond Guarantee Scheme which may help you access alternative accommodation within the private rented sector.

Advice Agencies in and around Pendle - There are various support agencies within the Pendle area who may be able to offer you support in maintaining your home, help with a new home or support such as advocacy.

Calico - The Calico Partnership offers floating support and advice to people who need assistance to gain skills to live independently. The type of support on offer includes :-

finding a home that meets your needs
help in setting up and managing a home
guidance in working with other agencies
helping you to deal with money
getting the right benefits
help to access education, training and employment
assisting people to get involved in their community
maintain or rebuild support networks

Homelessness - If it is not possible to prevent your homelessness or to locate alternative accommodation in time, you may wish to apply as homeless. All local authorities have a legal responsibility to help homeless people and their families, and to ensure their rights are upheld. This duty arises under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002.

http://www.evolve-pendle.co.uk/ - If you feel that you would like advice on how to get back into work, which is likely to improve your housing options, click on the website.

Contact Housing Needs If you wish to contact us or would like to make an appointment please click on the link for details on how to get in touch.