Council and democracy

Croydon blazes a trail to offer homes and job advice

Housing Minister Caroline Flint has just awarded ‘trailblazer' funding to Croydon based on the council's strong track record of housing options advice and homelessness prevention.

As a 'trailblazer', Croydon will offer advice on education, training and employment as well as housing options to unemployed and low income people who are living in social housing, are in housing need or are at risk of homelessness.

Unemployed people are at greater risk of becoming homeless and the council will use the funding to develop a new scheme called Broadening Horizons to tackle the underlying issues that may be preventing people from getting back to work.
 
Working with Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT), the council plans to link its housing advice with learning and training services.

Croydon will appoint a project manager and two information, advice and guidance (IAG) workers, based at its housing options office, in outreach venues and CALAT learning centres, to provide assessments and personalised action plans and support packages.

They will also work closely with local organisations running training, education and employment services to take referrals from the scheme.

The project will build on existing employment and housing initiatives such as HAP<25, the council's award-winning housing advice project for 16 to 25-year-olds. HAP<25 offers housing advice alongside services to help young people into education, training and employment.

Councillor Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: "This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront in developing new ways to tackle worklessness, which will benefit local people in housing need.

"This innovative support will enable people to take greater control of their own lives, break the cycle of deprivation and increase their housing and employment prospects."

Once established the council expects 400 people a year to benefit from the new service.

Croydon will also have a new mentoring role, sharing skills and knowledge with other councils.