The council’s Housing Options team are administering the Exceptional Housing Costs fund. The funding is to be used in exceptional cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the Fund can be used to support housing costs.
Applications for exceptional housing costs are assessed by the Housing Options Team. To apply, please contact the duty officer on 01962 848 163 or by email . The duty officer will complete an assessment with you to determine how we may be able to assist.
This scheme runs until 31 March 2024 or until all funds have been allocated. The funds are limited, and the council will prioritise those households in the most need.
Where eligible, ongoing housing support for rent must be provided through the housing cost element of Universal Credit (UC) and Housing Benefit (HB) rather than the Household Support Fund. In addition, eligibility for DHPs must first be considered before emergency housing support is offered through the Household Support Fund. The council must also first consider whether the claimant is at statutory risk of homelessness and therefore owed a duty of support through the Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG).