Case studies
Hardship Crisis Case Study – Anna
Anna, a Wandsworth resident, suffers from chronic anxiety and depression. There was a problem with her housing benefit payments and she owed rent to her housing association landlord. Anna had previously been homeless and this was her first permanent tenancy but the landlord was threatening to serve her with a Notice Requiring Possession to evict her and she was feeling very anxious about becoming homeless again.
Beverly Baines, a Help Through Hardship Crisis Project Caseworker supported her by contacting the housing benefit department and her landlord on her behalf. The landlord agreed not to take action to evict her while we sorted out the housing benefit payments. The outstanding housing benefit payment has now been made, clearing Anna’s rent arrears. In future, housing benefit payments will be made direct to the landlord. We have also helped Anna to apply to a local charitable trust for a grant to pay for a washing machine for her new flat.
Anna feels more positive knowing she will not be evicted from her home. If she needs to access further advice and support regarding her benefits, housing or other matters she can contact her Caseworker directly, ensuring continuity of support.
Hardship Crisis Case Study – Samuel
Samuel was living with his wife and three children, aged 7, 5 and 2, in an overcrowded one bedroom flat.
Samuel and his family were also suffering from anti-social behaviour from their upstairs neighbour who was noisy and verbally abusive towards them.
Samuel had applied for a transfer with his housing association, London & Quadrant in 2010, but had not been re-housed as he was not a priority.
Beverly Baines, a Help Through Hardship Crisis Project Caseworker obtained a copy of the landlord’s housing transfer policy to check whether Samuel and his family had been awarded the correct banding. She discovered that the family should have been given priority status in 2015 as they were legally overcrowded. Beverly contacted the landlord who agreed to award the client priority transfer status.
Samuel completed an anti-social behaviour diary for his landlords who are now investigating the anti-social behaviour complaints.
Samuel and his family feel happier now he has been prioritised for re-housing and the landlord will be visiting his neighbour about her anti-social behaviour.