Tenancy Support for Kyle helps to turn things around

Kyle* aged 19 was referred to The Benjamin Foundation Tenancy Support Service by one of our supported accommodation centres. He had been allocated a Local Authority flat and was looking to move onto independent living.

Prior to living with The Benjamin Foundation accommodation centre, Kyle lived at another young person’s charity and then sofa surfed at friends houses. He then spent three years supported by The Benjamin Foundation staff to learn independent living skills, however he struggled throughout due to mental health issues, substance abuse, dyslexia and his ability to process information.

While supported by the End Youth Homelessness Housing Fund, he was helped by his Tenancy Support Worker, Erica to set up all of his bills and utilities, ensuring he was receiving the best available deals and registered onto the priority services, should they ever be an outage of water or energy.

Kyle had been working a few hours a week at the local holiday camp, however due to his mental health deteriorating he became unable to leave his flat, suffering high levels of anxiety. This also caused him to be sent home from work on occasions too. This had a massive impact on his financial situation. Over the course of several months, Kyle was only in receipt of a small amount of income from Universal Credit as his employer was declaring earnings also. Kyle was unable to contribute towards and bills and could only pay for food to survive.

As his debt was spiraling, his mental health challenges were increasing, and he was missing GP and wellbeing appointments that Erica was setting up for him. He was also missing Universal Credit appointments to discuss his situation and was in real danger of losing his tenancy due to neighbour complaints of noise and anti-social behaviour. This resulted in his probation period being extended and meetings held.

Kyle did continue to engage with Erica who worked tireless to resolve the issues with Universal Credit, the Local Authority Housing Team and rent income. The Benjamin Foundation Rent Deposit Scheme was able to support a rent payment to ensure Kyle was no longer in arrears. Erica also supplied vouchers for the local Foodbank, which Kyle already attended weekly. She also supported him to make a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application.

Kyle said to Erica that he likes working with her as she explains the information so that he can understand it, and he has never had anyone do that for him.

Erica and Kyle approached Universal Credit and his full entitlement was reinstated. This meant that he could being to pay his bills, Erica supported him to set up Direct Debits and they worked together on a budget and planning to ensure all the bills were covered.

Kyle was still struggling with his spiraling energy debts and changing over to pay-as-you-go meters, so Erica made applications to the energy company to clear the debts and get pay as you go meters in place so Kyle had more control over his energy usage.

He is now feeling a lot more capable to manage his own finances and take responsibility for his flat. He is engaging with other support agencies and working with those around him to support him to get to where is wants to be. He is actively looking for work again and feels better about his living situation.

Kyle has been supported to turn a very challenging situation and the threat of homelessness around and he said: “If it wasn’t for my Support Worker, I don’t know where I would be as I wouldn’t have been able to sort myself out.”

If you would like to make a donation to support more local young people like Kyle, please visit https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/donate/ or contact us on [email protected] to discuss other ways to get involved to help young people in Norfolk and Suffolk to finally feel hopeful of a better future.

*Name has been changed.