Appeal to private landlords to house ex-offenders

A council is appealing to landlords to work with the local authority and the Probation Service to help ex-offenders fit accommodation in the private rental sector.

Gateshead council says the Accommodation for Ex-Offenders (AFEO) partnership has played a vital role in helping tenants develop new skills and enjoy a fresh start in life.

The initiative aims to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping for ex-offenders by creating sustainable tenancies in the private sector with incentives including ongoing advice, and support from the council and partners are available to both landlords and tenants.

Funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities allows the council build on what it calls “the success of our Offenders Homeless Prevention Pathway” created following the introduction of the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.

A key objective of the AFEO scheme was to create 15 new private tenancies for ex-offenders across Gateshead in its first year of operation and by March 2023 had successfully established 14 tenancies.  

Now the council has an additional two years' funding for the scheme, aiming to achieve a further 15 tenancies each year, taking the total number of new tenancies created within the scheme overall to 45.

A council statement says: “The scheme works by providing landlords with financial incentives including landlord insurance, which can be accessed alongside support that ensures their properties meets the required health and safety standards.”

If any tenancy issues arise, such as rent arrears, a council-employed Homeless Support Worker can facilitate contact between the tenant and landlord to address the issues early on and to come to a resolution, the authority states.

A council spokesperson says: "The scheme so far has provided 14 tenancies in Gateshead, for people who would have otherwise struggled to find private accommodation. They have received intensive support in relation to applying for benefits, job seeking, as well as support in how to sustain their tenancy, and we're now seeing these individuals thrive, with a new found confidence and positivity for the future.

"The landlords and letting agents we have worked with have been excellent, often going above and beyond for their tenants. I really can't thank them enough for the chance they have given to these people who otherwise may have still been sofa surfing or in temporary accommodation."

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