Change a life: rent out your spare room – Hackney residents needed to help tackle homelessness

Leon found lodgings through Homelink. Photograph: Quaker Social Action

A new scheme is to be launched in Hackney that pairs up homeowners with would-be lodgers. The idea, called Homelink, has been launched by the Quaker Social Action (QSA) housing team, aims to show people in the borough how they can help change a life by renting out their spare room to someone in need, and giving them the chance to earn some extra household income too.

Leon’s story

Leon’s landlord served notice on all the tenants in his building and started major rebuilding work, just as his job contract came to an end. Without a deposit and facing high rents, he found himself sofa surfing with ‘a friend of a friend’.

“Becoming homeless wasn’t my fault, but it makes you feel very vulnerable. It’s demeaning and there is lots of pressure. I was also afraid what employers would think as I couldn’t even put an address on application forms,” Leon said.

He recently found a new room in a home in Stoke Newington through Homelink, who provided the domestic essentials to get him started. He is volunteering in a community organisation and looking for work in the supported housing sector.

Earn tax free income and make a difference locally

Any homeowner or tenant with space in their property could earn up to £4,250 per year tax free through renting a room through Homelink. All potential sharers will be people aged between 18 and 35 who want the benefit of living in a home, and will have been carefully assessed and reference checked. Homelink’s support to landlords is provided absolutely free.

Project manager Marike van Harskamp explains: “Renting out a room is a very practical and also sociable way of getting some extra income. Apart from the obvious financial benefit, people often also like the security and company of someone living in the house”.

“When times and money are tough, it doesn’t take much for housing and homes to become at risk. Because of the rental income, taking in a lodger is an effective solution to secure the financial positions of homeowners, and tenants too.”

Tim is a local public sector worker and homeowner who decided to take up the scheme: “I started to rent out a room to a lodger in my two bedroom flat, getting some extra income. I was a bit worried at first, but now I find it actually really nice to have someone around in the house.”

A meet-and-greet event will be held on Saturday 4 February to invite prospective participants and those interested in taking on a lodger to get free advice on the legal and practical issues around lodging, and hear some past success stories.

Quaker Social Action has a long waiting list of young people who need homes, some of whom are living under church roofs or are forced into vulnerable situations while staying with friends or ‘sofa surfing’.

Hackney housing is the fifth most expensive in the country as the price of a home in the borough soared to more than double the national average last year.

The cost of renting a property in Hackney has also increased by more than 25% in 2011, making the borough officially “unaffordable” according to a report by bank and mortgage broker Halifax.

Single homeless people are often deemed as “non-priority” by the council and are placed at the bottom of long waiting lists for social housing. The issue will reach crisis point this month as those between 25 and 35 will no longer qualify for housing benefit on a self-contained property in the private rented sector.

The QSA scheme helps people in housing need on low incomes to access rooms in affordable, shared accommodation. Advisors help youngsters raise a deposit, or offer landlords a rent fund in it place. By doing this, QSA give people a fresh start alongside other young adults.

Quaker Social Action invites you for tea, cakes, and the chance to find out how to get involved with the project. Advisors will be on hand to answer any questions.

Rent a Room Information Event
Saturday 4 February 2012, 11am-12pm
Quaker Social Action offices, 17 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PJ

For more information contact Marike on 020 8983 5060 or email: homelink@qsa.org.uk