Council wants private landlords to help solve its hom...

A council has thanked private landlords who have helped it cope with a homelessness crisis - but it says it wants more to do the same.

Shropshire council has expressed its gratitude to the private landlords who have come forward to offer their properties to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The council is also appealing for more landlords to join the scheme, which offers cash incentives and extensive support to both landlords and tenants.

The Tory local authority has seen a rise in the number of households who need housing assistance: it puts this down to various factors such as flooding, the cost-of-living crisis, and the end of Ukraine host placements.

It says it wants to avoid placing people in temporary accommodation, and instead provide more settled and suitable options for those in need: therefore it’s interested in discussing options with private sector landlords who have any type of accommodation available, from flats to houses, in any area of the county.

A statement from the authority says landlords will benefit from financial help to pay towards deposits and rent in advance, which is paid to landlords directly; tenants support and advice to help ensure that tenancies are sustainable; specialist advice on tenancy matters and changes in the law; and help to resolve disputes if they arise.

A council spokesperson says: “Facing homelessness is a worrying experience for anyone, so we’re appealing to private sector landlords so we can continue to offer vital housing support to those most vulnerable.

“We can offer support for landlords to help house households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Currently all types of accommodation are needed.

“You could be an experienced landlord with a portfolio of properties and just looking for tenants, in which case, we can offer a tenant matching service where we will interview and assess all tenants before they approach you. Or you may be a first-time landlord and benefit from extra support our team can give with setting up the tenancy and handling all the paperwork.

“If you are unsure if your property will be suitable, please contact us to discuss and if you are a landlord who uses a letting agent and would like to help, please let us know and our team can speak to the agent directly.

“Homelessness can affect anyone, and we work with people who have been in the military, worked in trades and many other occupations, have been evicted from their home through no fault of their own, or in some cases are fleeing from domestic abuse. While not every person we engage with accepts our support, the vast majority do, and we continue to work with a wide range of partners to help prevent people becoming homeless and to support those who do, to find their way back into accommodation and work.”

“We would like to thank those landlords that have come forward to offer their property and say how much this makes a positive difference to those who are facing homelessness. Your generosity and willingness to help are greatly appreciated and valued by us and by the people we serve.”

An unnamed Shropshire landlord who has been part of the scheme is quoted in a statement from the council as saying: “I initially contacted the council to see if they would lease my flats but as this wasn’t an option, I decided to work with them to help me to find tenants.

“The team quickly put people forward for me to consider, supported me by organising viewings, drew up tenancy agreements and made sure tenants received the correct documents at the start of the tenancy.

“They have supported the tenants to settle in, helped deal with practical things such as setting up utilities and continue to visit them and myself on a regular basis just to check all is going well. It has been nice to meet all of the team, I trust I can contact them anytime and am confident they will support me should any issues arise.”

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