Excellence in all we do - itslearning

Hyndburn Homes
Hyndburn Homes is one of a number of
social landlords in the East Lancashire
area supporting a new Passport to
Housing qualification.
Passport to Housing is a package of pre-tenancy
training designed to teach people how to maintain
a tenancy successfully. The programme covers
how to be a good tenant, budgeting and money
management, dealing with utility companies
and progression to work and training.
It is an accredited level one qualification and
has been developed by social landlords working
in partnership with Accrington and Rossendale
College. To date, Hyndburn Homes has delivered
the pilot course to 19 students and the feedback
from them has been very positive.
Jackie Scott, 46, is one of the first residents to
gain her Passport to Housing. She is now looking
to gain independence and move to her own
home.
“I’m now on the housing waiting list,” she said.
“Having this qualification means that when I
bid for a property through the B-with-us choice
based letting scheme, the qualification will give
me a better chance of getting a social housing
property because landlords know that I can
manage my tenancy.
“This course provided me with lots of information
that I didn’t know such as thinking about the best
sort of lease for my needs and how to prioritise
bills and avoid getting into debt.
“I now feel more confident than ever about
managing my own home and better still I know
that there is a support network available should
I need it. It’s a great idea.”
Linda Chelton from Hyndburn Homes
commented: “People living independently for
the first time often find it difficult to cope.
“This could be because they are young first time
tenants, or they have issues around drugs, debt
or mental health. Obviously we want to help
people remain in their home and we are looking
at ways to offer support.”
Hyndburn
Homes
help
residents
get a
‘Passport
to
Housing’
Excellence in all we do
18
April.2012