Home Support services for younger and older people

• About the scheme
• Who can apply?
• How do I apply?
• The package
• How much will it cost?
• Keeping you informed
• Improving our service
• Contacting us
• Right of appeal

About the scheme

The Furnishings & Support Scheme is a service especially for new council tenants aged 16-25 years old.

KNH runs the scheme with support provided by the council's Tenancy Support Service and other organisations such as SHAP (Single Homelessness Accommodation Project). It aims to give young people extra help to settle into their new home.

A support worker will visit for the first 13 weeks of the tenancy or longer if you are 16 or 17 or have additional needs. They will help with various things like setting up gas and electric accounts and home budgeting.

We will also rent you a basic furnishings package to help you get started.

Every year there are a limited number of places.

Who can apply?

The Furnishings & Support Scheme is for people aged 16-25 on a low income who have just been offered a home with KNH and need extra support. (You should have been in your new home for no longer than two weeks).

You will not qualify if you already have, or are able to get, items listed in the package.

How do I apply?

You can be referred by your existing support worker (if you have one) or another agency or you can refer yourself. Contact details are at the end of the leaflet.

The package

Your new property will have carpets and curtains fitted throughout except for the kitchen and bathroom which will have vinyl flooring and blinds. The kitchen will be equipped with a fridge or fridge freezer (depending on what space is available), a washing machine and an electric cooker. There will also be light shades and low-energy light bulbs.

How much will it cost?

You will rent this package for a weekly service charge, on top of your rent, which is payable for the first three years of your tenancy. After three years you can either choose to carry on renting the package at a reduced rate or have the package removed. This does not affect your right to end the tenancy at any time by giving four weeks notice.

The service charge is covered by Housing Benefit if you are eligible. If you are working and are not entitled to any housing benefit then you would have to pay the service charge, as well as your rent, from your wage.

• For up to date charges please contact Young people's services Furnishings & Support Team.

As part of this scheme, you will agree to regular visits so that we can check you are okay and that you are looking after the items we have provided.

Keeping you informed

We send out a newsletter twice a year to keep our tenants up to date with our service and various things such as training opportunities. It is called "Moving Forward" and you will be asked if you would like to be involved in producing it.

Improving our service

Once a year every tenant on the scheme will be given the opportunity to rate our service. We value your opinion and want to make sure we are providing a high quality service to everyone.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about the scheme or you would like to refer yourself, please contact the Furnishings & Support Team . We will go through a referral form with you and make a decision within three working days.

• Contact Young people's services Furnishings & Support Team

Right of appeal

If we don't think you are eligible and you are not happy with this decision please contact the Young People's Support Manager.

If you are still not satisfied you should contact the Customer Service Manager, who will look at your case and respond to you within five working days.

• Contact Young people's services

See also

• StartRite