This area contains the following information about Housing Advice and Options and Homelessness prevention:
Housing Advice and Options:
Homelessness prevention:
Further Advice:
Back to top of page...
The Housing Options service offers housing advice, helps prevent homelessness and takes applications for the housing register.
Some of the services provided by the Housing Options Service may need you to be able to prove your identity.
If possible, you will need to provide one of these for each member of your household:
We understand that in some extreme cases applicants may not have ID available to them. If you think this is the case for your household, please contact us to discuss this.
Demand for Social Rented Housing is much greater than supply and you could wait up to 11 years before being housed.
It may be more sensible to consider other housing options, such as renting privately or buying affordable housing before you apply.
Back to top of page...
If you're thinking about buying your own home, any of the local estate agents will be able to offer advice on available properties.
However, not everyone can afford to buy a home on the open market; particularly first time round, but there is help available. There is a range of government schemes to help low-income households get a foot on the property ladder. In Hastings, these affordable housing schemes are provided by Moat.
Moat's Homebuy scheme offers a number of opportunities if you need a little help buying your own home:
Back to top of page...
If you're thinking about renting from a private landlord visit our estate and lettings agents area, read the local newspaper or Friday-Ad for details of available properties.
Once you've found a property, you may still need help or advice on making the most of the tenancy with a private landlord. Local organisations can help people to stay in their own home, with tenancy support schemes and we can point you in the right direction for advice on mediation and negotiation and financial help.
Back to top of page...
If you apply to be on our housing waiting list, you'll become part of our choice based lettings scheme, which we use to allocate social housing.
You'll need to complete a Homemove Application Form to join Sussex Homemove. When you apply, you will be placed into one of four broad bands (Band A - highest priority to Band D - lowest priority). Any household registered with Sussex Homemove may bid for a property that is suitable for their needs no matter what band they are in. The property will be offered to the member with the highest priority.
You'll find available properties advertised in a free fortnightly magazine and on the Sussex Homemove website. All of these properties belong to one of several registered social landlords in the town.
Back to top of page...
If you live in social housing, an easy way to relocate is to swap your home with a social housing tenant in another part of the country.
The Homeswapper website matches properties with tenants who want to swap houses across the country. Please note you will need your landlord's permission to swap.
Back to top of page...
Supported accommodation is a temporary home, which can provide assistance and support to a service user for up to two years. Supported accommodation will usually consist of a large property where you would have your own room with shared facilities.
If you are placed in supported accommodation, it is because you need additional assistance to learn skills to look after a tenancy and/or yourself before moving on to a private or social housing tenancy on your own.
Each supported housing provider has its own rules which may include curfews, what kind of visitors you may have (and when they visit) and what you may do while on the premises. You will also need to pay rent and a service charge in most cases.
Back to top of page...
Finding money to buy your first property, repair your home or adapt it to suit your changing needs can be difficult. If you own your own home or rent privately (or are thinking of doing so) we may be able to offer you some financial help to make adaptations, carry out minor works, renovate, buy your first home, keep in the heat or even go green!
The Housing Renewal Financial Assistance Policy outlines the way we provide financial assistance in line with recent legislation.
If you have a sudden expense, the Department for Work and Pensions may be able to help by providing a loan or small grant depending on your situation.
Contact Housing Renewal for more information about financial help.
Back to top of page...
Managing a tenancy can be difficult, especially if it is your first time living on your own. There are several local agencies that can offer help and support on a regular basis to make sure you understand the terms of your tenancy and can maintain your home.
For help with moving to a new home or keeping your current home:
Casa Support
Queensbury House
Havelock Road
Hastings
TN34 1BP
Telephone: 01424 728214
For housing support for young people:
CRI YASS
Rothermere House
Cambridge Road
Hastings
TN34 1DT
Telephone: 01424 423344
Back to top of page...
Sometimes living in close contact with people (including friends, family and neighbours) can start to cause friction.
Occasionally, this friction is so bad that you'll feel you cannot continue living where you are. It can help to have somebody talk to your neighbours, friends or family, with you or on your behalf, so that a compromise can be reached and you're able to stay where you are.
For general advice on mediation and negotiation contact the Housing Information Point.
For a mediation service contact Hastings and Rother Mediation Service.
For advice, counselling and mediation for all kinds of relationships contact Relate.
For tailored advice for parents contact Parentline Plus.
Back to top of page...
This scheme can help households at risk of losing their current home or people who are already homeless move into privately rented accommodation. It can also help landlords find good tenants with references.
If you're at risk of becoming homeless, please contact us.
If you're a landlord and are interested in the scheme, please contact us.
Back to top of page...
Scheme is to promote and reward good standards of accommodation in the private sector and to raise the overall quality of housing in the Hastings and St Leonards area, as part of Hastings Borough Council's Housing Strategy aimed at developing 'sustainable, secure and affordable communities where homes are in good repair'.
Visit our HALO pages for further information.
Back to top of page...
We offer local landlords a host of help and advice on issues like grants, repairs, our HALO accreditation scheme, tenancy sign up and notice periods.
You may wish to play a more active role and become a member of the Landlords' Forum. Contact us for more information about the forum.
Housing charity Shelter can also offer landlords valuable advice.
Top tips for landlords
Back to top of page...
We offer free advice, whether you are starting a tenancy, ending a tenancy or would like the law explained to you.
Housing charity Shelter can also offer tenants valuable advice.
Top tips for being a good tenant
Back to top of page...
Hastings College have produced information outlining specific advice for students looking to enter the private rented market, including information on considering house sharing, points to remember when looking to rent a property and a short list of landlords. Visit www.hastings.ac.uk for further information.
The University of Brighton also has a campus for students attending University Centre Hastings. Once you have your confirmed your course place at the university, you will be eligible to apply for a place in the Robert Tressell campus which is adjacent to Warrior Square gardens and the seafront in St Leonards - close to UCH and Hastings town centre. Visit www.uch.ac.uk for further information.
Visit www.uch.ac.uk for more information about accommodation available in Hastings.
Back to top of page...
The Sanctuary Scheme centres around the needs of victims of domestic abuse and/or hate crime, which enables them to remain in their own home and feel safe.
The scheme is voluntary, free and available to both homeowners and tenants who meet certain requirements.
The Sanctuary Scheme is delivered on our behalf by the Hastings and Rother 'in touch' Home Improvement Agency.
Back to top of page...
The following documents are available to download. You may find it useful to read our Help before downloading information.
Please contact us if you would like a copy of our Choice Based Lettings Guide produced for people with a learning disability, their families and supporters.
Back to top of page...
Please contact us for further advice or information on any matter relating to Housing Options.
Back to top of page...
This page last updated: 26/06/2009