Housing advice: ex-offenders

If you are at risk of homelessness or worried about your housing situation, you can email housing@westberks.gov.uk and we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

If you are homeless today, or your enquiry is urgent, you can call 01635 519 530 and choose option 2 to speak to a housing officer. We are available Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. 
If you have been made homeless outside of these hours, call the emergency duty team on 01344 351 999.

See our homelessness support page for more information.

Support from the housing service

If you are at risk of homelessness, the council will try to prevent your homelessness by helping you to remain in your current accommodation, if possible. If it is not possible, we will explore alternative housing options with you, such as getting private rented accommodation or supported accommodation.

If you are already homeless, we will provide advice and support to help you get accommodation, regardless of whether you are 'intentionally homeless' or have a priority need.

Will the council provide me with accommodation?

Although we can help you to find alternative accommodation, we will not have a duty to provide emergency or temporary accommodation, unless you are eligible, homeless and in priority need. Your homelessness prevention and relief officer will discuss this with you as part of your application process. They will ask necessary questions to decide whether we will be able to provide emergency accommodation.

You can find out more about the homelessness application process on the Shelter website.

If it is identified that you have support needs, the team can discuss referrals to appropriate support agencies.

Keeping accommodation while in custody

Your entitlement to benefits will stop if you go to prison. However, you may be able to continue getting Housing Benefit, or make a claim for the first time, if you go to prison or are on remand. You can find out more about Housing Benefit while in prison on the GOV.UK website.

If you currently receive Housing Benefit, you must tell the Benefits Team if you are remanded in custody, sentenced or released.

If you decide to give up a tenancy when it would have been reasonable for you to return to it, you may be deemed intentionally homeless. This would mean that you are only entitled to limited help from the council.

You (or someone offering you support) can contact us for advice and information about your housing situation by email at housing@westberks.gov.uk. Alternatively you can call 01635 519 530 and choose option 2.

Other housing support

Shelter

Shelter offers advice and information for people who are homeless or experiencing housing problems. They deal with issues including housing rights, harassment, illegal eviction, rent and mortgage arrears, disrepair, housing benefit, domestic violence, hostel placements and finding accommodation. Visit the Shelter website.

You can also find out how to contact Shelter on their website.

Nacro

Nacro house and support vulnerable people, including young people, adults and families.

They provide support in different ways, including:

• offering education and skills for young people outside of mainstream schooling
• helping people in custody to reintegrate into society, helping with housing, mental health and substance misuse issues
• supporting people to overcome barriers presented by their criminal records and to move on from previous mistakes
• speaking out on behalf of the people we work with, to influence policy and public debate, addressing the social issues we know many people face

For more information and to get support, visit the Nacro website.

General support services

New Leaf

New Leaf supports people through the first few weeks after their release, helping them address issues and obstacles that stand in the way of effective resettlement. They aim to reduce re-offending through effective resettlement, to help people fulfil their potential.

New Leaf can support offenders who plan to resettle in Berkshire, Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes).

You can contact them by telephone on 01844 202 001, or by email at info@newleafproject.co.uk.

The Inside Out Trust

The Inside Out Trust provides financial assistance to people under the supervision of the Probation services in Berkshire. This can help with anything from basic clothing to securing accommodation, or meeting the cost of getting back into work. They can also help fund training courses, clothing for interviews or specialist equipment for the workplace.

To access this support, an Offender Manager must complete a TIOT application form and send it to the TIOT Treasurer. Speak to your probation officer to make an application.

Find out more about this service on The Inside Out Trust website.

Pact

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) is a national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. They support people to make a fresh start, and minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment.

For more information and contact details, visit the Pact website.

The Prince's trust

The Prince's Trust works with disadvantaged young people aged 11 to 30. They provide training, personal development opportunities and grants to help young people to get into work, education, self-employment or training.

You can find out more on the Prince's Trust website, including how to contact the Princes Trust.

Alcohol and drug support

You can find out about local and national support for alcohol and drug issues on our alcohol and drug support page.
 

The Hardman Directory

The Hardman Directory provides a list of funding that is available to ex-offenders. It also has a list of companies who employ people with convictions.

For more information, visit the Hardman Trust website.

St Giles Trust

The St Giles Trust provides a range of support, such as mentoring, help with housing, finding a job and maintaining ties with family.

For more information and contact details, visit the St Giles Trust website.

Unlock

Unlock is a charity led by reformed offenders. Their website provides information on many topics, including how being in prison affects benefits and housing, banking, insurance and employment. They also have a helpline you can call if you need further help.

For more information and contact details, visit the Unlock website.

Langley Housing Trust

Langley Housing Trust is a Christian charity that provides resettlement accommodation for ex-offenders and those at risk of offending.

For more information and contact details, visit the Langley House Trust website.