Stoke-on-Trent is participating in the supporting housing improvement programme funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and this had led to a number of changes in the way the authority manages the provision of supporting housing across the city and Housing Benefit claims.
The review is looking at all areas of supported housing, including accommodation, support and rental breakdowns. The review will also look at the pathways in and out of supported accommodation and the wider provision of properties/accommodation across the city.
New supported housing schemes
A new simple, phased step by step process has been devised which providers of new schemes should follow, which includes a set of enquiry and information documents which accommodation providers are required to complete prior to new schemes becoming operational and occupied.
- Step one – complete the initial enquiry form
- Step two – evidence of local need will be sought by the Supported Housing Review Team to ensure that there is a requirement for accommodation for this specific client group
- Step three – enquiry form SH3 will be issued for completion, which should be returned together with any supplementary evidence
- Step four – property visits will take place to check the accommodation meets required safety standards before occupation
- Step 5 – due diligence checks will take place on the return of form SH3 in relation to the organisation, and at this point rent breakdowns/voids information will be requested
- Step 6 – following successful completion of the above steps, occupancy can take place and Housing Benefit claims can be submitted.
Following this, a site visit will take place within the first 3 months of operation to check that the support offered is being provided, and support reviews with residents will be scheduled.
Enquiries
Any organisation/landlord who would like to enquire about opening a supported housing scheme, should, in the first instance complete the supported housing initial enquiry form.
Important information
Please note that if your organisation does not match any of the categories listed below, you will not be considered under this scheme and should not complete the enquiry form; this is in line with Housing Benefit legislation -
- A non-metropolitan county council in England
- A housing association
- A registered charity
- A voluntary organisation