Supporting people to maintain their own tenancies and continue living independently in the community is a key factor in preventing homelessness.

We provide practical housing-related support to help people manage their accommodation, but our work does not stop there. We also empower people to take more control of their lives, equipping them with vital skills and building on their personal strengths to stop problems from reoccuring or escalating.

Our tenancy sustainment work can range from practical help with money management, debt or rent arrears, to intensive support with complex problems such as hoarding.

Underlying needs

People who are having problems managing their accommodation may also be struggling with a range of underlying needs including: 

• Mental health problems
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Physical disability and poor health
• Debt and rent arrears
• Domestic violence
• Hoarding
• Anti-social behaviour
• Offending
• Worklessness
• Family breakdown

To help tackle these underlying causes, our services assist with everything from registering with GPs and attending hospital appointments to accessing education, training and employment, and include specialist support for particularly vulnerable groups or people who are going through a difficult transition in their lives.

For example, in Islington our Hospital Discharge Service supports people who are leaving hospital to maintain their tenancies at a time when they may be vulnerable and at risk of homelessness. 

Meanwhile in East London, Changing Lanes, an NHS-funded service delivered in partnership with East London Foundation Trust, provides practical housing and education, training and employment support to people with psychiatric care needs.