Council launches lettings agency to help homeless families

A new lettings agency has been launched by a council to work with private landlords and help homeless families find permanent homes.

GBC Lettings is part of Gravesham Borough Council’s response to the rising number of local households living in temporary accommodation, which has reached more than 200.

The council says high interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis are key factors leading to more families and individuals seeking support.

‘Moving on to something more permanent’

Cllr Jenny Wallace, the council’s cabinet member for housing services, said: “Temporary accommodation should be just that, a few brief nights’ stay in an emergency before moving on to something more permanent.

“But demand for social housing has soared in recent months as families struggle to make ends meet and has resulted in too many households spending too long in this sort of property.

“And it is expensive. We are looking at a bill of over £1 million for temporary accommodation in the current financial year, against a budget originally set for less than half of that.”

She added: “It’s an unsustainable position and one we are having to be innovative and creative at tackling.”

Looking for private landlords

GBC Lettings is looking for private landlords who will take households directly from temporary accommodation – and it will offer:

• Guaranteed payment of rent on the first of each month
• Support through the process of turning properties around between tenants
• Guaranteed tenant within two weeks of a property being ready to let
• A minimum of four visits a year from council officers to check on properties
• A designated council officer for support and advice
• Support in understanding and complying with the ever-changing regulations landlords are bound by.

‘Easy and straightforward as possible for landlords’

Cllr Wallace added: “Essentially, we are looking to make it as easy and straightforward as possible for landlords to provide a more permanent home for some of the families we are currently supporting in temporary accommodation.

“As a landlord, we already have 5,700 social housing properties that we manage and maintain on a daily basis.

“We are offering to bring that expertise to support our landlords, while guaranteeing them rental income.”

She adds: “I hope many of our borough’s private landlords see the benefits of working with us for themselves, but most importantly for the well-being of so many local families in need of support.”