Let's Talk Peer Event: Housing (March 23)
Published on 27 March 2023 04:50 PM
Our Let's Talk Peer Event in March invited guest speakers from Islington Council Housing team.
Waiting for a housing transfer?
If your home is overcrowded and you are waiting for a housing transfer, you may have to wait several years before you move. Find out about alternative ways to move, and how to make your home more comfortable in this useful online leaflet here. Most of the content is also included below.
Homeswapping
Have you considered swapping your home? Last year 239 Islington tenants kept their social tenancies and found suitable homes in London and across the UK through one of these schemes. For more information please visit the relevant website below:
New Generation Scheme
Adult children of council, housing association and private sector tenants who have lived in Islington for the last three years and are living with tenants, now can apply for their own home through the New Generation Scheme. They will get extra points to help them move to their own home.
www.islington.gov.uk/newgenerationscheme
Sheltered housing for older people
If you are living with a family member who is aged 55 and over and who has support needs, they may be eligible for sheltered housing.
For more information, please contact the Housing Options team on 020 7527 4140 (option 1) or email rehousing@islington.gov.uk
Low cost home ownership
Low cost home ownership allows you to move into a property by buying a small share of it and paying rent on the rest. These schemes are a very good way of getting yourself on the home ownership ladder.
For more information, please see: www.islington.gov.uk/homeownership
Get rid of stuff you don’t need
You can sell unwanted items, recycle them or donate to charity shops.
Find out more about recycling unwanted items please visit www.islington.gov.uk/furniturerefuse
The British Heart Foundation also offer a free collection of your unwanted reusable furniture to all residents regardless of tenure. For more details, please visit their website: www.bhf.org.uk
Making best use of space if your property is overcrowded
Furniture can save space. You can buy space saving furniture that can free up space in your home, such as bunk beds, sofa beds, under bed storage etc.
Rent storage space
You can rent a pram shed or garage to store your belongings. This space can also help if you want to sort through your stuff. Please contact the Customer service team in your local Area Housing Office for more details.
Crack down on damp and mould
This space can also help if you want to sort through your stuff. Please contact the Customer service team in your local Area Housing Office for more details. Overcrowded homes are more likely to develop damp and mould.
Find out more about preventing it at www.islington.gov.uk/dampandmould
Get help with energy bills
SHINE offers free support if you are over 60, have a disability or long term illness or have children. Please call SHINE on 020 7527 2001 or email contact@shine-london.org.uk
A realistic look at council housing and your options
Islington Council want residents to be realistic about your chances of being housed or rehoused. Not many properties become vacant each year. Average number of points needed for properties in 2021/22 Studio 172 1 bedroom 229 2 bedrooms 238 3 bedrooms 277 4+ bedrooms 343
Last year they only let 1022 properties, housing just 6% of people on the housing register. 49% of these homes were studios or one-bedroom properties. Many people say that if they realised how long the wait for council housing is, they would have considered other options when they first applied, like swapping homes or renting privately.
For the full Islington Council leaflet: A realistic look at Council Housing and Your Options
Find out more about your housing options online:
If you are a council or housing association tenant: www.islington.gov.uk/movinghome
If you are not a council tenant: www.islington.gov.uk/findingahome If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness: www.islington.gov.uk/homeless