I am a care leaver, what are my housing options?

The Council’s duty

• The Council that has looked after you remains responsible for you even if you move to a different area
• You may also be able to build a local connection to the area you have been placed in care which expands the potential areas you can get help to find accommodation. Contact the local Council of where you have been placed to find out more information.
• They must continue to provide you with any support you need, even if you do move to another area
• You can contact Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Housing department on 01737 276 790
• You can contact Surrey County Council Children Services on 0300 470 9100.

Help from your Personal Advisor

• You are allocated a personal advisor who will help you to become more independent.
• They will develop a good understanding of your needs and your goals to help you create a pathway plan according to this. This plan will set out what support you’ll need to live independently
• It is there job to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to. They can also help you with application forms for: housing, benefits, training courses and education. They should also help you with learning various life skills such as learning how to budget.
• You can visit the Surrey Care Leavers website for more information.
• Your personal advisor should stay in contact with you and provide ongoing support until you reach the age of 21, or until you turn 25 if you are still studying full time.
• If you don’t have a personal adviser, make sure you seek advice from the Council or Shelter website. You may still be able to get a personal adviser even if you didn’t get one while you were still in care.

Housing advice

Single room rate

• Usually if you are aged under 35 and you rent from a private landlord, the maximum amount of housing costs you can get (Universal Credit) is the same rate you will get for renting a single room in a shared house (shared accommodation rate).
• However, if you have been in care, this will not apply to you until you turn 22 years old. You should be entitled to housing costs even if you have just spent one night in care.
• There is a maximum amount of housing costs that you can receive, but this depends on where you live.

Extra help when moving into a new place

• If you are a moving into a new place, you may be entitled to a budgeting loan to help pay for any rent I advance, moving expenses or household items. Most people who have been on income support or job seekers allowance for at least 26 weeks can apply. This loan would be paid back through deductions from your benefits
• You can contact your local Council who can offer you advice and assistance depending on your situation. If you have a local connection to this borough, the Council can offer you financial assistance to help you secure a private rented property through the Single Persons Rent Deposit Scheme. Call on 01737 276 790 for further details.

I’m homeless

• If you are a homeless care leaver, contact your personal adviser or the Council immediately for advice and support on: housing, benefits and other schemes you may be eligible for.

Housing Register

• In order to be eligible to join the Housing Register, care leavers must have a local connection, which is given by having previous residency in Reigate & Banstead for two continuous years (provided under section 22A of the Children’s Act 1989) and some of the residency must have occurred before the age of 16 years. Care leavers must also pass other eligibility rules such as not having a history of antisocial behaviour or tenancy breaches and not have an income or savings above our thresholds.
• As a care leaver it is likely you will be given a high priority banding if you are referred by a Children’s service or Youth Support Service; you meet the local connection criteria explained above, and you are within 12 months of having to leave your care placement.
• If you are accepted onto the waiting list, it can take several years before you are successful for a property.
• To apply to join the housing register please visit our Housing Register webpage. If you have any questions please call the Housing Register Team on 01737 276 790.

Hostels

Hostels can provide you with enough time to secure yourself new permanent accommodation and to apply for any support or benefits you may be entitled to. Visit our list of hostels webpage for further information.

eSOS (East Surrey Outreach Service)

eSOS offers support and access to hostels/supported housing to those who are currently rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The Council or other support workers can refer you or you can contact eSOS directly via the eSOS website. You must have a local connection to access their service.

Supported Housing

Supported housing offers specialist support to address tenant’s specific issues and individual needs. To be considered for supported housing, you generally need to be referred which can be done through a support worker or through the Council. You can contact the Councils Housing Team on 01737 276 790.

Contacts

Useful housing contacts.