Housing Dilemmas C.I.C.

Expansion /Bedspaces: - To our existing 48 bedspaces from the previous year, we added an additional 4 bedspaces in Chelmsford. Due to some challenges we experienced with the Exempt Accommodation application in Havering that made it difficult to increase our stock in the borough, we outsourced an additional 5 bedspaces temporarily from a Private Rented Sector provider which were used to provide additional accommodation to our service users. Therefore, in total we offered 57 bedspaces. The Accommodation for Ex-Offenders (AfEO): - The project continued both in Chelmsford and Havering. Referrals: - Over the course of the year, we received a total of 122 referrals for both Havering and Chelmsford, with 22.1% coming from Havering and 77.9% from Chelmsford. We offered accommodation to 31.1% of the total referrals received for the period; a total of 38 new individuals who had experienced rough sleeping, sofa-surfing, eviction and/or mental health issues, addictive behaviours and/or have offended. To meet the growing demand for our services, we continue to negotiate with the Local Authorities, private investors and landlords in pursuit of suitable accommodations. 2024/25 Impact Life Coaching, Counselling and Mental Health: - Our service users continued to engage in support and counselling; both general and professional. With the services of an in-house professional life coach, mentor and counsellor, our residents continue to make strides in the management of their emotional and mental wellbeing as well as their addictions. 100% of those identified as needing professional intervention received the required support either in-house at no cost to themselves or referred to Mental Health service. In total, 20 residents out of the 71 (28.2%) service users engaged. Making Meaningful Use of Time: - Service users are encouraged to make meaningful use of their time. 15.5% volunteered their time undertaking various tasks like painting, gardening and various jobs and hobbies within the communities. 2.8% engaged in employment. Addressing Addictions: - Addictive behaviours continue to be a challenge for some of our service users. 5.6% of the service users during the course of the year struggled with addictions of alcohol, drugs and gambling and all received both professional and general support to address them effectively. Managing Money: - At the end of the year, we saw a significant improvement in our service users’ ability to manage their money as a result of our proactive approach in the collection of service charge revenue. As recipients of benefits, our service users have very little to live on and therefore have the tendency not to manage their money very well. At the end of the year, service users who had arrears of more than a month’s service charge was 40.8%. Social Activities: - Our service users continue to be encouraged to engage in social activities to mitigate the adverse impact of feelings of isolation. Over the course of the year, 74.6% engaged with family and friends and in other social activities. Managing License: - As a result of the robust support provided, 71.8% of the service users were able to manage their licences and adhere to the terms and conditions of their licence agreements adequately to sustain their tenancies. The importance of maintaining cleanliness can’t be overemphasised where the sustainment of tenancies are concerned, especially when living independently. In view of this, service users are encouraged to clean up after themselves when using the shared facilities in-between our cleaning services and keep their rooms clean and tidy. 56.3% of our service users made the effort to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness in their accommodations. In total, 71 service users were accommodated over the course of the year and out of that, 59.2% were either on time with their service charge payments or were less than a month in arrears. Wellbeing: - 100% of our service users either prepared their own meals, bought nutritious readymade meals and/or helped themselves to the nutritionally balanced hot meals provided by hubs within the communities. Our service users were encouraged and supported to take care of their physical wellbeing throughout the year and 8.45% were recorded to have needed and attended medical appointments with the support of staff. Additionally, 2.8% went a step further by joining a gym to carry out physical exercises. Housing Register: - 10 new service users were successfully registered on the Choice Base Lettings Scheme during the year, bringing the total residents on the Housing Register to 23. Out of them, 82.6%, based on our recommendation to the Council, were upgraded to band 2 to improve their chances of bidding successfully on properties that they were eligible for. At the end of the year, 31.6% of the 19 who had been upgraded to band 2, were offered and accepted 1-bedroom flats of their choices. We are pleased to have been able to support 100% of those offered new accommodations to move on and settle into independent living. Move-on Tenancy Sustainment Support: - 100% of the service users who moved on were supported through the transition into independent living process to enable them settle into their new homes. They are all receiving Tenancy Sustainment support to enable them acquire the skills required to sustain their new tenancies. HD will carry on delivering support to each of them until such a time when the service users are confident that it is no longer required. At the end of the year, we had 17 residents on the housing register with 76.5% of them actively bidding. Benevolence: - HD continued to invest in the welfare of its service users throughout the year. We funded a Life Coach to support service users develop skills required to overcome challenges, set goals and action plans, be accountable, improve confidence and build healthy relationships. All new residents received a welcome pack of new beddings, towelling, toiletries and groceries when needed. 100% of all those whose birthdays fell due whilst in our care received a birthday card, cake and a £20 gift voucher to celebrate their special day. We continued to treat all service users to takeaways of their choices during their monthly house meetings. Christmas hampers packed with festive specials and goodies were presented to all our service users during the festive period to ensure that none of them were left without.