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Furniture Recycling: collection & re-distribution
The furniture side of the Falkirk Homeless Project is still at the heart of our operations and the van is out five days a week, collecting & redistributing. Furniture is given away free to people who qualify, however we do ask for £10 as a delivery charge, we feel that it is not too much to ask, for a delivery that can often furnish a whole house. A delivery can include all the basics that most of us take for granted, from washing m/c`s, fridges, beds, wardrobes, carpets, etc. The £10 delivery charge was a most regrettable step for FHP to take but the failure of Falkirk District Council to support our furniture project has meant that some of the most vulnerable people in our society are penalised. It has been the generosity of the Churches of Falkirk, the general public and other Christian organisations that has helped us survive. St Vincent De Paul Society has been very supportive to our aims. Read “The Issues”
Starter Packs:
We also deliver the Churches “Starter Packs” consisting of two boxes that contain basic cleaning items including washing up liquid, cloths, dustpan and brush. The other is a kitchen pack with items such as a set of cutlery, mugs and pots & pans.
Rent Deposit Guarantees:
For many single homeless people, social housing - through a housing association or the council - is not an option. Indeed, many do not qualify for council accommodation, or have to wait years for a property. Their only way back to finding somewhere permanent to live is to use private rented properties.
But accessing private rented accommodation can be a nightmare. With no job and no home, the only means of paying rent is through housing benefit. Many landlords simply will not take someone who is solely reliant on state benefits (just look at the number of adverts that say "No DSS"). Then comes the problem of landlords wanting rent in advance and, most common of all, a sizable deposit.
If you have no home and no job, just where do you find a deposit? Fortunately, providers of rent deposit schemes have the solution. Basically, it works like this...
The scheme finds suitable accommodation, having first approached a number of landlords. Speaking to landlords first helps to overcome any resistance to "DSS" tenants, enables properties to be checked, and can even lead to a reduction in deposit or rent. Some projects will ask the client to find a property, and then they will talk to the landlord on the client's behalf.
The deposit and any rent in advance is then paid or guaranteed by the scheme from its own funds. The new tenant is helped with his or her housing benefit application, and, when this is processed, any advance rent paid is refunded to the scheme. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit is then returned to the scheme.
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