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Tenancy support

Helping to promote independence and prevent homelessness

Tenancy support is available to help tenants who might be experiencing difficulty in managing their tenancy. The service provides short term support up to a maximum of two years for tenants with low level needs that do not meet the criteria for existing statutory support.

The type of support we can offer includes:

• help improving living skills, including reading and writing
• advice and support around the home including, security and safety
• assistance and advice with personal budgeting, debt counselling and completion of benefit forms, including housing and council tax benefits
• advice on community facilities
• advocacy on accessing care and support services
• assistance with the security of the dwelling for individuals fleeing domestic violence
• life skills advice on cooking, shopping, cleaning and laundry
• explaining how appliances and systems work on a daily basis
• advice and support on minor repairs that are the tenant’s responsibility

Who can get the service?

To receive the service you need to answer "Yes" to the following:

• are you a council tenant?
• are you having problems that might affect your home or your neighbours?
• are you likely to experience problems with your tenancy because you have particular difficulties?

The service is also available to all new tenants when they are offered a new property if they need help with setting up their home.

How much does it cost?

The service is completely free to tenants. The government pays us to ensure support is available to everyone who needs it.

How does the service work?

The support is provided by trained tenancy support officers who will visit you at your home to discuss the help you need, what you want to achieve and what can be done to help you. This is all recorded on a support plan and you will be given a copy to keep.

The tenancy support officer will either provide the support or put you in touch with someone who can.

Often we will need to contact other agencies or organisations on your behalf for which we will obtain your permission.

What is the difference between tenancy support and social services?

This service is not intended to replace support provided by social services, the NHS or any other statutory service. However, we maybe able to provide complimentary services where others are involved, particularly in relation to tenancy issues. We do not provide personal care to our tenants, as this would form part of a care package arranged and provided through social services.

How do I get in touch with a tenancy support officer?

If you know someone who would benefit from this service please contact tenancy support on 023 9260 6218 to make a referral, or email us at tenancy.support.team@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

You can also download our referral form below and return it to us at:

Tenancy Support, John Pounds Centre, 23 Queen Street, Portsea, PO1 3HN

Associated documents:

• Tenancy Support referral form  (0.07 MB)

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