L.E.A.P

(LEEDS EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION PROVISION)

THE AIM OF THE SERVICE IS TO PROVIDE:

Good quality temporary self-contained fully furnished accommodation
Emergency accommodation from direct referrals from the Housing Advice Centre Bedstate Team.
Individual support as required, focusing on housing and support needs.
Assistance to find permanent move-on accommodation - through Leeds CIty Council, Leeds Fed, other housing providers.
Assistance and links to other sources of support, e.g. from other agencies
Encouraging independence, confidence and long-term stability
Service is accessible to all sections of the community

WHO IS THE SERVICE FOR?

For people homeless or at risk of homelessness- whether single, a couple or a family, in priority need with Leeds City Council and in need of temporary accommodation while you wait for permanent re-housing. This also includes families fleeing domestic violence. You will have support needs appropriate to the support offered - i.e. you should be able to live independently in self-contained accommodation with regular visits from a Housing Support Worker. If you have more support needs we will only be consider you if you have a support package in place with additional support provided by other agencies (Social Services, Resettlement Team, etc.)

HOW CAN I REFER?

The service operates in close co-operation with the Leeds City Council's Bedstate Team based at the Housing Advice Centre. We recommend that anyone needing emergency accommodation contact the Housing Advice Centre. Referrals from other agencies will be placed on our reserve list, and offered accommodation if no emergency referrals are received from Housing Advice.

You will be assessed before an offer of support is made. When making decisions on your application we will consider your housing history, support needs, and health and safety risks to yourself and others. Support and accommodation are usually offered to the first suitable referral from the Housing Advice Centre. If they cannot fill vacancies then support is usually offered to the applicant with the highest level of need appropriate to what the service can offer.

SUPPORT

A Support Worker will be allocated to you. A Support Plan will be agreed within the first two weeks of a tenancy, this will be tailored to your individual's needs. The frequency of visits from the Housing Support Worker will be agreed at this point with you. Support will be provided in areas such as:

Future Housing requirements
Support required on move on from scheme
Budgeting
Debt management
Benefit advice
Education/training
Health advice (registering with GP etc.)
Neighbour problems
Relationship problems
Childcare/parenting skills
Independent living skills
Mental health issues
Substance misuse issues
Schooling
Harm reduction
Liaison with other agencies

The Housing Support Worker will provide this support where possible and appropriate; will liaise with other agencies already involved with you; and will make referrals to other agencies to provide additional support as agreed.

Someone to talk to/ befriending
Managing responsibilities (arrears etc.)
Minimising debts
Dealing with authorities/bureaucracy

HOUSING
We provide housing in sixty properties dispersed throughout Leeds. The properties range from 1 to 4 bedrooms.

FURNITURE
All the properties are fully furnished, including cooker, fridge, beds, bedding, carpets and curtains.

In order to provide as flexible service as possible we will consider providing accommodation with less furniture or no furniture to you if you already have your own as an alternative to you placing it in storage while you are in temporary accommodation.

LEAVING THE SERVICE

The Housing Support Worker in conjunction with Housing Advice Team will provide support and advice to assist in securing appropriate permanent accommodation for you. This will usually be with a local authority or with a Housing Association. You will be expected to stay for an average of 2 to 4 months. If you need additional support after you move, we will try to arrange this with another agency or another support service with Leeds Federated.