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A Youth Project partnership between Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT)  and Westcountry Housing Association (WHA).

This project works with vulnerable young people aged between 16 & 24 by providing supported accommodation and teaching independent living skills to lead productive lives.

CHAT manages five 3-bedroom houses in Tiverton where two young people live in each house. One house is dedicated for use by young mothers and their babies.

The accommodation is affordable for young people who are living on benefits while they attend college, undertake voluntary activities or work .

Applications cannot be accepted for couples or young people with high support needs.

How to apply

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Young people in housing need aged 16 or 17 years and care leavers aged between 18 and 21 years should be assessed by MDDC Housing Department initially. They should contact MDDC on tel 01884 255 255.

All other young people aged 18 to 24 yrs should apply directly to CHAT.

Contact us by email or call 01884 255606

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Why Young People?

Most young people become homeless as a result of family problems and most do so before the age of 19 years. Often these problems are due to everyday family circumstances.

What is Mediation?

Mediation gives people the opportunity to deal with disputes and helps those involved to reach an agreement that suits everyone. It is a voluntary process that is confidential and supported by impartial, specially trained mediators who understand that you may be angry, upset, worried or frightened.

Our Aim

To work in the Mid Devon area with the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless, who feel unable to return home and promote better living relations.

Why TRY Mediation?

It may be that just talking about a problem helps you come to a solution or a way forward, and then you can then take steps to resolve this.

• If you try mediation and it does not work, you will have not lost anything in the process.
• If you find mediation has worked for you, it can help strengthen family bonds, maintain relationships and enable you to continue to live at home.
• Mediation is voluntary and is available free to those who need it.
• Mediators will treat your views and feelings with respect. The responsibility for decision-making will rest with you at all times.

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If you are aged 13-19 and this service could help in your situation,
then phone CHAT for further details.

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Contact us by email or call 01884 255606

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CHAT offers a free outreach service to help people move on with their lives through the provision of specialist and general advice and support.

The service is supported by the CHAT Housing Advice team who provide specialist advice.
Many people experience periods of time when they need a hand with issues such as:

• Retaining their homes.
• Making sure all benefits entitlements are applied for.
• Sorting out money problems.
• Completing the right forms.
• Applying for grants & loans.
• Establishing a new home.
• Finding appropriate services, such as getting back to work or college.
• Managing anxieties or addictions.
• Getting involved with the local community.
• Dealing with landlords.
• Support and advice at meetings.

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Our Tenancy Support staff can offer short and long term, intensive and intermittent support
for up to two years. You can ask for support yourself or be referred to us by another organisation.

Please note: there is usually a waiting list for support which is prioritised according to level of need
and service capacity.

Contact us by email or call 01884 255606

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Most private landlords require a month’s rent in advance and a deposit equivalent to a month’s rent.

Accessing private rented accommodation in the area is expensive, and there is only a limited amount of social housing available. This is because demand for affordable homes is far greater than the supply of housing.

The Deposit Guarantee Scheme has been introduced to help overcome some of the initial expense of renting in the private sector.

If you qualify for this scheme you will not have to pay a cash deposit to the landlord, CHAT will guarantee to reimburse a landlord against loss or damage to the property up to an agreed amount. We only offer this facility for tenancies in the Mid-Devon district.

A guarantee agreement is signed by you (the tenant), the landlord and CHAT, and may be considered for renewal for a further six months.

As your commitment to the scheme we expect you to participate in a deposit savings scheme.

This enables you to gradually save towards your own cash deposit so eventually you no longer need the
CHAT Deposit Guarantee. At that point the majority pay a deposit directly to their existing landlord and stay in their tenancy.

How do I qualify?

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In order to qualify for this scheme you must:

• Be in housing need.
• Be over 18 years of age.
• Have been not accepted by statutory agencies for deposit or rent agreements.
• Engage with support services that may be identified.
• Complete the assessment process which considers individual circumstances.

Contact us by email or call 01884 255606

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We give advice on all housing issues, particularly those affecting you as a tenant or as an owner occupier.

We give housing advice over the phone, in person, by email and can act on your behalf.
Our services are free to everyone.

We help by

• Providing Housing Advice.
• Acting as advocates.
• Offering Deposit Guarantees.
• Referring clients to Tenancy
• Support and the Youth Housing Project.
• Signposting to other relevant organisations.

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We work with those who…

• may be threatened with homelessness.
• are living in substandard or overcrowded accommodation.
• are sleeping rough or on someone’s floor.
• are living in temporary accommodation.
• are being released from prison, youth offenders institution, or discharged from hospital without an address.

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This is the only Housing Advice service of its kind in the area and has obtained the Community Legal Service Quality Mark for ‘General help with Housing’.

Drop in surgeries are available during the week at the CHAT offices in Tiverton and by phone during office hours.  We also offer drop in services in

CREDITON

Council Offices,

Market Street,

Crediton

on Tuesday afternoons between 2.00 and 4.30.

CULLOMPTON

Community House,

Fore Street,

Cullompton

 on Monday afternoon between 2.00 and 4.30.

Please phone first if attending the outreach drop in.  These services are free to anyone in housing need, and are maintained through donations received from Churches, Trusts and individuals.

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Hardship Fund

Clients who have exceptional needs may be provided with resources from the hardship fund. This is given at the discretion of the staff and is for emergency travel, electricity, gas, or where genuine need is identified.

We are able to provide emergency bedding, sleeping bags and tents.  We also have a furniture store.
Fund raising events, such as sponsored concerts, sport activities, social events, etc., are welcomed. Gifts of dried and canned food for the homeless and those who are experiencing hardship are always appreciated by the recipient.  Meal vouchers are given that can be exchanged locally.

Contact us by email or call 01884 255606