Extra Care Project
We are now in the third year of our five-year project, dedicated to supporting clients with multiple and complex needs, funded by The National Lottery Communities Fund.
In 2024, we expanded our capacity by managing a second six-bedroom HMO (House of Multiple Occupation), bringing our total to 12 units reserved for this client group. This expansion is critical as the rental market continues to experience unprecedented demand and rising costs.
The surge in rental prices across Surrey is being driven by an influx of people moving here from London, and the exit of private landlords from the market. In Spelthorne and the surrounding areas, affordability is rapidly declining.
People on benefits face even greater challenges, as many landlords are reluctant to rent to them, leaving these individuals at a significant disadvantage, often at the back of the queue. For clients with multiple and complex needs, the situation is even more dire.
We’ve noticed that many clients, including those from Year 1, continue to struggle with the skills required for independent living. To address this, we are enhancing our life skills training programme, with a stronger focus on financial literacy, household management and coping strategies, while also addressing the root causes of their homelessness.
So far, this third year has seen significant progress in improving housing stability and the overall well-being of our clients. We are especially proud of the success of Paul*, whose journey is highlighted in the case study below.
While challenges such as limited housing availability and resources remain, the project has already had a hugely meaningful impact on the lives of those we’ve supported, and we are on track for another successful year.
Case Study – Paul
Paul, who has a learning disability, was housed under our National Lottery Extra Care Project. After securing Paul safe housing, we assisted him in applying for Universal Credit and arranging Direct Debits to the landlord, set up his Council Tax payments and amenities, and continued to work closely with him to help him have a successful tenancy.
Paul was diagnosed with prostate cancer in summer 2023 which came as a great shock. We were there to support him through his diagnosis and treatment – and to celebrate when he had the good news that he is now cancer-free.
“I was struggling with anxiety and depression due to the eviction and felt like I had nowhere to turn. Then Rentstart gave me hope and gave me a home, I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me.”
“Through innovative projects like the Extra Care scheme and our dedicated tenancy support services, we are helping people secure housing and equipping them with the tools and support needed to sustain it.”
– Bryan Pilgrim, Manager, Spelthorne Rentstart
Our ‘Move On’ Scheme – in Partnership with The White House Hostel
The White House Hostel, on Kingston Road in Ashford, opened on 11 October 2021, providing temporary specialist accommodation for single homeless individuals with multiple or complex needs. Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) manages the facility, offering a dedicated support service with 24-hour on-site staff.
The facility consists of 27 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens, four self-contained studio flats, as well as outdoor spaces. It is designed for residents who face significant barriers to accessing mainstream accommodation and who might otherwise be placed in inappropriate housing or, in the worst cases, fall through the gaps and end up sleeping rough.
Spelthorne Rentstart is extremely proud to be the sole ‘move-on’ partner, assisting some of the most vulnerable members of the community in transitioning from The White House to safe and stable housing in the Private Rented Sector. This move-on service is crucial in ensuring that residents not only secure long-term housing solutions but also receive ongoing support. Once they are in their new place, our wraparound holistic support service helps clients to maintain their tenancies, teaching them how to be ‘a good tenant’, and ultimately enabling them to regain a more balanced and sustainable way of life.
