There was a BHT good news story this week which I missed! It is not like me as I have sometimes been accused of presenting BHT as the only show in town. This is a weakness as I do passionately believe in and am proud of the amazing work undertaken by BHT staff.
But I have learned my lesson. I also now talk about the excellent work of partner organisations such as Sussex Central YMCA, CRI and Rise, to name a few, as well as the positive relationship we enjoy with our local authority partners such as Brighton and Hove City Council, Eastbourne and Hastings Borough Councils, and East Sussex County Council.
But back to the good news story. It concerns another essential partner for BHT – private sector landlords. BHT is leasing studio flats from private landlords for three years and paying a guaranteed monthly rent of up to £500.
We understand that landlords want to minimise their risk. We guarantee the rent, and we will keep the property in good condition. Tenants will receive support as well as being able to access our programmes to support them back into work.
But I would say that, wouldn’t I? Malcolm Pither of the East Sussex branch of the National Landlords Association thinks the scheme will be a success. He said: “It is good for landlords because they get guaranteed rent, and it’s good for tenants because they get security. There can be problems with any tenancy, but we hope BHT will mitigate that with extra help and advice”.
In towns on the coastal south east, like Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, there can be unrealistic expectations placed on local authorities as being able to resolve every housing problem in their area. We need to be more practical and look to the private rented sector as being the most likely provider of housing options.
For more information about BHT’s Private Sector Leasing Scheme, please call 01273 234750.
Sounds like a very proactive approach to prevent what is often the first step in a spiralling crisis. By the very nature of prevention, the benefits of which are hard to measure or even imagine the impact of averting that first tip into homelessness. Exciting stuff- I’d be interested to hear how it works out.