Living in a hostel since coming to the UK in 2021, our client had secured a part-time job and was living in a hostel at Action Homeless as he didn’t qualify for full housing benefit. However, he was finding this hard with other occupants being loud at unsociable hours and not always respecting his space – it was having a massive impact on his day-to-day life.
With the added complication of English not being his first language, he wanted advice with the digital skills on how to search and apply for his own home, and wanted help to understand bills and finances so he could move forward.
Getting the right help
The client shares how MoneyWise Living advisers helped to transform his life: “My adviser showed me other options for housing outside of the council bidding system, which I did not know about. They helped me to register and apply for properties with housing associations, and I was offered a studio flat. They helped me with everything from property applications, through to post-resettlement support, such as applying for grants and registering for all my bills.
“They showed me where the meters were and helped me to take down the meter readings – I didn’t even know that I needed a special key for it!
“I was also supported to complete the Change of Circumstances, so that Universal Credit were notified to pay my rent. They helped with essential items too, which helped a lot.”
Gaining independence
The client continues: “It was a massive relief to have someone by my side, guiding me on what questions to ask and what the next steps would be. As I have a language barrier, it helped to have someone who I trusted there, especially as I was signing the tenancy agreement at the same time as viewing.
“I am now able to go to and from work feeling good and rested. My kitchen is always clean and I am able to sleep well. I am also concentrating on my ESOL skills so that I can get better in speaking English, and hopefully gain a permanent full-time job.”
The client was given support on using price comparison websites to get the best energy deal, and help to register for his water supply with the Big Difference scheme, which gave him a price reduction. He also engaged in a group energy learning lesson, providing cost-saving tips and tricks, to help him save money and live independently.
The best thing to have happened to him
The client was thankful being provided with information he otherwise wouldn’t have known: “I could have ended up in temporary accommodation for a very long time, or sleeping on my friend’s sofa. I was not aware that there was social housing - it is important that anyone who is homeless knows that there are other avenues of being homed.”
Overall, he comments: “I am very happy that I was able to have someone who could help me find a place to live and provide me with so much support.
“Moving into my own home has been the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I am so grateful to have been part of the Moneywise Living Project.”
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