Becky Evans

1
Welcome

• Becky Evans
• Private Rented Sector Manager

2

• SmartMove
• Rent
• Deposit
• Guarantee
• Scheme

3
Brief Overview

• Who are the Cyrenians?
• What is a Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme?
• Current Process
• Aims
• Conclusion
• Questions

4
Who are the Cyrenians?

• The Edinburgh Cyrenian Trust is an independent
  charity established in 1968.
• The Edinburgh Cyrenians exists to address the
  full range of issues surrounding homelessness.
• 45 Staff and 100 Volunteers and extensive links
  within Business and Community employed by
  Cyrenians.
• Current staffing
• Manager Becky Evans
• Housing Officers Claire Thomson, Catherine
  Holderness
• Julie Crawford, part time vacancy Lisa
  Robertson
• Project Assistants Michelle Perry, Suzanne
  Kinlough-McGhee Mary Rohan
• Support Workers Kathy Hoyle Paul Bradley

5
SmartMove

• Funded by City of Edinburgh Council and West
  Lothian Council with SLAs and Falkirk Council
  through tender contract.
• Assist persons in housing need access good,
  quality private rented accommodation.
• Guarantees deposits for tenants.
• Offers advice some support for tenants
  landlords.

6
Referral Criteria

• Housing need (homeless or threatened with
  homelessness) both priority and non-priority.
• Assessed as being likely to sustain the
  responsibilities of a tenancy (no major needs)
• Do not have deposit or means to get deposit
• Willing to save half the deposit sum within 6
  months and remainder within next 6 months.
• If under 25 years of age single parent, working
  full time in permanent employment or willing to
  share with friend.

7
Current Process

• Referral received by fax or e-mail, phone as last
  resort from referring agent or client directly
• Client then contacted by SmartMove Project
• assistant
• Identify property for client
• Client views property with landlord
• Client interviewed references taken
• Sign up arranged and carried out
• Client then visited within 28 days and 2/3
  monthly thereafter.
• At 6 month visit guarantee reviewed and renewed
  if appropriate
• Final visit with landlord at 12 months and close
  case.

8
Support Needs

• Identified Prior to Sign Up
• Case Conferences
• Support Agreements
• Letters of support from providers
• Identified During Guarantee Period
• Referrals to key support agencies
• Joint support visits
• Supported move on options

9
AIMS

• Ensure standards of service are high.
• Provide accurate assessments within reasonable
  length of time.
• All tenants will be visited at least twice during
  any 6 months of guarantee period.
• Minimum of 355 tenancies during each year.
• (115 Edinburgh, 120 West Lothian RDGS, 75
  Falkirk 30 WL Flatmates)
• Performance indicators Monthly, Quarterly and
  annual reports, case studies, feedback from
  clients Landlords.
• Improved Communication between tenant, landlord.
• Improved Working Relationships with landlords
  other agencies.

10
Conclusion

• Housing need, homeless/potentially homeless
  people,
• Can prevent homeless applications being made if
  it is offered at the housing options stage,
• A long term housing option,
• Support and written guarantee, in place of cash
  deposit for up to a year,
• For further advice or to send a referral contact
  details are
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]