There are a number of government schemes available to make buying a home more affordable. You can use the “own your own home” on-line tool to find out which scheme is right for you by answering some simple questions. The schemes include: The CAB is a charity that gives free, confidential information and advice to help people with their money, legal, consumer and other problems. The service aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face, and to improve the policies and principles that affect people’s lives. Trained advisers help write letters, make phone calls, negotiate with creditors and represent clients at tribunals and courts. Rough sleeping is a complicated problem to solve. The following scenarios can push people already on the brink into homelessness or rough sleeping. Be wary of property listings which have a lower than the market price value for what is offered, bearing in mind their location, as well as those that seem too good to be true. Find your nearest job centre plus (JCP) at https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/ (you will need to type in your postcode)

You could apply to another council area or directly to housing associations. Their wait times may be longer than the Peterborough Housing Register. Once registered and logged in select "homelessness assistance". You will need to complete a series of questions about your household and housing situation, please ensure that you give as much detail as possible.You can then search and bid for properties through our Choice Based Lettings Scheme. This part of the process may take between two and six years. It depends on your banding priority, bedroom entitlement and supply and demand for homes. You may find that hundreds of people bid on one home. If you meet the eligibility criteria set out in our policy, we will make you a 'live applicant'. You then receive a banding priority and bedroom entitlement.

The hard truth is giving money to rough sleepers can prevent them from engaging with support. This may keep them on the streets for longer. We receive your application to join the Housing Register. After receiving your documents, we assess your application under our Housing Allocations Policy. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. You don’t need to have reported your crime to the Police to receive support. For free, confidential and tailored advice on which service can best suit you, use the link or call the phone number for the Hub.

I need advice, am homeless or might be…

Care and Repair’s aim is to assist people to continue living independently in their own homes and ensure those homes are safe and warm. Care and Repair also runs a Handy Person Scheme to help households occupied solely by elderly and/or vulnerable people living in the Peterborough area. The scheme is free and is available to home owners and tenants who are elderly or considered vulnerable. Residents are only asked to pay for the cost of materials used.

Support is available to all rough sleepers to develop a clear pathway to leave the streets. It's not just about housing, it's about ensuring we also consider health and welfare needs. You can find independent and confidential advice for victims of crime using the Victims and Witness Hub. Services focus on making sure that existing housing is fit for purpose and that vulnerable people can continue to live independently for as long as possible. The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership provides a lot of helpful information and links, which you can find here: While you consider whether to apply, you should learn what you can expect as a social housing tenant.

Peterborough City Council’s Housing Needs team has a common Housing Register and a joint allocations policy which was agreed in partnership with ten housing associations who have accommodation in Peterborough. Peterborough JCP: 45, Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1HA. Phone 0800 1690190 or textphone 0800 169 0314