Homeless help puts roof over hundreds

A HOMELESSNESS service which uses private landlords to get people off the council housing list has helped 250 people into housing in its first year.

Orchard & Shipman's Letfirst scheme, a public-private partnership with Edinburgh Council, pairs borderline council housing cases with private landlords who agree to waive the initial deposit, usually the equivalent of a month's rent, in exchange for a reference from the company and a guarantee that rent will be covered in the event of hardship.

When the shop first opened its doors on Morrison Street last year it had 17 properties on its books.

One year later, it now has more than 220, with approximately 40 new properties becoming available every month. It has also expanded the services it provides offering comprehensive advice on welfare and benefits as well as housing.

The shop has had to increase the number of staff with an additional housing advice worker joining the team earlier this year.

John Taylor, chief executive of Orchard and Shipman, said: "We are delighted at how successful the shop has been. Having a city centre presence, and a place where people can just drop in and chat to our staff has made a massive difference.

"Not only do applicants get instant advice and guidance but the application process has been speeded up too which means that people can move into properties of their choice very quickly. This success means we need plenty more properties and are always searching for landlords to join the scheme."

The scheme, commissioned by Edinburgh Council, gives people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or in unsuitable housing, an affordable way to access private rented properties.

It works by offering tenants access into properties without the traditional need for a deposit and advance monthly rent payment, thereby helping people into homes that without the scheme they would be unable to access.

Landlords also benefit from the scheme as Orchard and Shipman offer a rent guarantee, professional property management and no upfront administration fees.

A council spokesman said: "The Letfirst scheme is a good way of giving people access to Edinburgh's large private housing sector and helps prevent people falling into the homelessness trap rather than waiting for it to happen. There's a desperate shortage of affordable housing in Edinburgh and it's important that we look at all available options."

'They took care of everything'

STANLEY Beck, 33, was forced to leave his flat when his landlord died, but faced with a cut in hours at his former workplace in a video store he struggled to raise the money for another private let and was forced to register as homeless.

He spent the next few weeks sleeping on friends' couches and pleading with the council to find him a home, but he was told that because he was a single man with no dependants and a network of friends to put him up he was a low priority.

Mr Beck became one of the first people referred to Letfirst. Mr Beck said: "I pestered the council to find me a house but they told me a man in my situation could wait up to 10 years for a council house, but after several phone calls they eventually put me on to Orchard & Shipman.

"They were brilliant. They took care of everything and found me my first flat in Calder Gardens.

"Eventually my employer cut my hours right down to 12 hours a week, which just wasn't sustainable so I had to quit. Orchard & Shipman covered my rent until I could find a new job, and when my first landlord decided to sell up they found me another flat in Gorgie.

"Since moving to Gorgie everything has gone right for me. I've got a new full time job working as customer service representative for (power tools company] Screwfix and a place I can finally call home."