Helping people find a place they can call home
By Steve Ward, Digital Inclusion Officer
A new service which supports people to apply for housing has been launched.
Steve Ward, Raven’s Digital Inclusion Officer, is working with colleague Tricia Kirkpatrick to run this from the Raven Neighbourhood Shop in Marbles Way.
He has been supporting residents to transfer to a more suitable home for some time and has now decided to officially launch the service.
He explained: “I have already completed over 100 housing applications, assisting residents to find the right home in the right area where they can thrive, and have built a great working relationship with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, enabling us to move the housing process along as simply and quickly as possible.
“Some great personal stories have emerged over the last two years. For example, we recently supported a 76-year-old lady, Una Rockcliff and her son Brian, who is disabled, to move from a fifth floor flat with no lift, to a first floor flat with few stairs.”
Una is thrilled with her new home, commenting: “It is a lovely area to live in with very nice neighbours the local shops are nearby. I no longer have to carry shopping up four flights of stairs at the age of 76. The support we have had from Steve regarding the housing register has been amazing.”
Steve has also just supported a homeless man to find a place to live and a couple who have adopted their three grandchildren to move from a one- bedroom flat to a larger property.
Not only do him and Tricia complete forms for residents, but they also guide them through the Home Choice process.