At Fresh Start Housing Service (FSHS), we know that having stable accommodation helps people break the cycle of re-offending. FSHS has substantial experience of providing housing to offenders, including those released from prison, individuals serving community sentences, and those at risk of offending. We work closely with private landlords, housing departments and Registered Social Landlords. Like us, they understand the importance of good quality accommodation in helping an offender to move on from crime.
We also understand risk management. That’s why we work closely with partnership agencies – including criminal justice services – to ensure any that any risk posed by an individual is managed appropriately, helping them move forward to independent accommodation.
Change isn’t easy. Sustaining change is even harder. At FSHS we know that giving someone a roof over their head is only half the story. So, we work with people to help bring about lasting change. We help clients understand their tenancy, including their rights and responsibilities. Our workers constructively challenge unhelpful attitudes and steer clients away from criminal behaviour. We also connect them with the appropriate services when they need extra support. FSHS staff will advise clients on how to claim the right benefits, making sure that service charges are paid and rent arrears don’t accrue. In short, we give people the all of skills and support they need to maintain a tenancy, avoiding the instability that can lead to re-offending.
FSHS Resettlement Service operates in Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. The service offers good-quality housing to people who struggle to access social housing due to long waiting lists, affordability, poor accommodation history, and difficulties with their background checks. We offer shorthold tenancies for a minimum of six months to:
- People leaving prison.
- Ex-offenders who are ready to move on from short-stay supported housing.
- Individuals who would be at risk of re-offending
without appropriate housing support.
FSHS resettlement services provide accommodation for up to two years. We also offer an intensive housing management service to help service users maintain their tenancy. Our referrals come from a variety of organisations, including the local housing options team, probation services, the police, and drug intervention programmes (DIP). FSHS also works with supported housing providers. This partnership – along with our referral, assessment, and allocation process – allows us to identify those individuals who will benefit most from our resettlement scheme.
The FSHS resettlement service delivers successful outcomes for everyone concerned. Offenders gain the skills they need to live independently, and support to help them to address their offending behaviour. Communities benefit too – we work collaboratively with Community Safety Partnerships to reduce crime in the local area. On a broader scale, our service helps commissioners to meet their objectives in relation to the delivery of strategic housing plans, homelessness strategies, and crime reduction plans.
We seek to provide good quality accommodation within a safe, supportive and encouraging environment. What are you waiting for? take the first step to a fresh start.