District Dispatch - 13 May 2025

As part of our housing priority to reduce homelessness in the district, we are working on several new projects to help address some of the issues that people have been experiencing in the private rented sector. One initiative is called 'Call Before You Serve' and aims to assist landlords who are considering serving eviction notices to their tenants. Eviction is often a last resort on the landlord's part, and the aim of this initiative is to help resolve any tenancy issues and prevent eviction action needing to be taken.

The idea is to develop better relationships with local landlords in order to help bring on more properties that they may have in their portfolio. A number of councils have had success with this approach. The opportunity to intervene at the earliest stage helps to reduce homelessness and improves security for both tenant and landlord.

These schemes can offer a range of support from creating a personalised housing plan with the tenant; to resolving issues that may be impacting on their tenancy; to helping tenants to address financial difficulties that have led to getting into arrears with rent payments; through to support from housing benefit services, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local government homelessness prevention funds, charities and money advice services.

We know from the research that we have carried out that schemes such as these can have a huge impact on helping private landlords stay in the market, knowing that they have support and advice. Unlike private letting agents, we can also support tenants who are struggling or experiencing issues and ensure that they stay in accommodation.

If you are a landlord and would like help and advice from our Private Rented Support Officer, please email fyeates@chichester.gov.uk or call 01243 785166 and ask to speak to Fearn Yeates or Tom Polhill.

If you are a resident who is experiencing financial or housing problems, we have a range of support and advice available. Our housing advice can be found online on our Housing Advice web page, and includes help with homelessness, housing guidance, help with universal credit and mortgage advice.  

We also have a dedicated Supporting You team, who are a team of trained advisors who work alongside our other council teams. Their role is to help people access a wide range of help, including maximising income; debt signposting; employment advice; budgeting support; food provision; help to pay bills; plus, signposting clients to our health and wellbeing team.

The team was established in 2022, in response to the cost-of-living crisis, to help those who were struggling. Since launching, they have helped thousands of people across the district with support and advice through their holistic approach.

We've been able to help many people get back on an even keel and feel more in control of their financial situation. The team often look after cases where several different issues are resolved, resulting in a complex and often distressing situation for the resident. This could be a housing problem compounded by financial issues, which can then go on to have a huge impact on their general health and wellbeing.

The team can take an overview of their situation, helping with all different issues. Their role means that they have more time to really talk with a client and find out about what they are going through. Often people may not know the level of support that they are entitled to and it's amazing how a few changes can transform someone's life and their outlook.

To find out more about the service, please visit the Supporting You team page on our website; email supportingyou@chichester.gov.uk; or by call 01243 534860.

Best Wishes,

Councillor Oona Hickson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Revenue and Benefits at Chichester District Council