Frequently Asked Questions
Is becoming a host like being a foster carer?
No, you will not be legally responsible for the client. Being a host is similar to foster care, in that a client lives in someone else’s home. However, unlike foster care, a host is not the young client’s legal guardian or parent and will not “care” for the client as they would a foster child. Instead, the host tries to promote the client’s independence. As an example, while foster carers might do things like wash a young person’s clothes, a client living with a Bromley Homeless host family will be responsible for taking on household chores and doing things for themselves, including cooking their own meals and doing their own washing, with occasional guidance from a host.
Who can apply to be a Bromley Homeless host?
At Bromley Homeless, we actively recruit householders that reflect the diversity of London and its residents. We would be happy to hear from you if you are a homeowner or rent your home, whether you are single or a couple, with or without children or grandchildren of any age, from any racial or cultural background, lesbian, gay, transgender or straight. The most important thing is that you are committed to helping a vulnerable client develop and sustain their independence with all the support and help you might expect from Bromley Homeless.
Why do clients benefit from a host family placement?
The vulnerable clients that we work with have often had challenging home and family lives. Many of them welcome the non-institutional environment of host families and “someone being there”. Some clients do not thrive in hostel situations, where they are surrounded by other often troubled clients who may be more dominant or perhaps more streetwise than them. They may prefer quieter environments and the opportunity to interact with people of different ages. Furthermore, research has shown that clients thrive better living with a host family than in other forms of supported accommodation. The presence of a positive role model makes them better able to learn practical tasks such as cooking and they are much more likely to sustain their place in school and at work. Householders and clients will be individually matched together based on common interests or backgrounds. This helps the client to settle quickly in the host’s home and for them to build a good relationship with each other during the placement.
What’s in it for me?
There are different reasons why people consider being hosts, including but not limited to:
the knowledge that you are providing a client with somewhere safe to stay while benefiting from a second income
an opportunity to be a positive role model in a disadvantaged person’s life which might lead to gaining a lifelong friend
some householders consider foster care for young people but see the host’s role as less formal. As our lives become busier, providing support for a client who is already more independent may be less onerous and more workable
you may appreciate the ongoing practical support that Bromley Homeless staff provide.
What will the client be like?
Each client, despite encountering some kind of common homeless situation, has a unique story. Despite a very isolative experience, some may be more extrovert, others perhaps naturally introvert. They are of different ethnicities, religions, genders, and sexualities. More importantly, they all have different personalities and experiences. What the clients in host family placements will have in common is the need for a safe and secure place to live.
Some of the clients may have previously been in care; others will come from a situation where living with their own family is no longer an option, whether due to their relative’s ill-health, a breakdown in relationship, low level abuse or low level mental health issues. Our hosted model is not designed for clients who are currently involved in drug or alcohol misuse that is not being addressed; have serious mental health problems; exhibit anti-social or extreme challenging behaviour; have recently or are currently involved in criminal activity or have significant adult learning difficulties.
One thing every client has in common is the successful completion of our in-house assessment referred to as our 8-Week Client Take-On Process. This enables every client to better understand the aims of our project and the anticipated benefits of living in a host’s home. It also develops and establishes a good working partnership between the Bromley Homeless support worker and the client. During this time, we will have co-produced a Personal Support Plan which details a recommended timeline of realistic aims and goals tailored to the client.
What is the application process?
Firstly meet with us to learn more about hosting with our support. We will then give you an application form to complete.
The next step will be to have an interview in your home.
We will complete all statutory checks and references,
You will receive on-going training.
We will match a client with you, ensuring that both parties are happy.
The client moves into your home.
You begin making a difference to a client’s life.
How much money will I receive?
Rent on the occupied room in shared accommodation will be over £100 per week if the rent is paid from Universal Credit. The client will also make a weekly contribution of £10 to you for use of utilities.
Will I need to pay Tax?
The amount of tax that you are required to pay will vary depending on the client you are supporting and your personal circumstances. Most Bromley Homeless placements are covered by the Rent a Room tax scheme which applies to owner occupiers and tenants who receive rent from letting furnished accommodation in their only or main home and can be used by householders providing Supported Lodgings. Householders whose income from providing Supported Lodgings does not exceed £7,500 will be exempt from Income Tax.
Householders who earn more than £7,500 from lodgings have a choice to either register as self-employed or pay tax under the rent a room scheme. Individual householders should seek advice from a registered tax adviser and local HMRC Office to clarify the choice of arrangement (Rent a Room or self-employment) which best suits their situation.
Will it impact on my benefits?
Like tax, this issue is not straightforward and will depend on the types of benefits you are in receipt of and the circumstance of the client you are hosting. If you are in receipt of means tested benefits such as Housing Benefit, then the likelihood is that having a lodger will affect the amount you receive. Our advice to householders interested in hosting is to explore the impact of additional income from rent with their tax advisor or HMRC Office before starting the Host Application process.
Do I need permission to take on a client?
If you are a tenant of a social landlord (either a council or housing association), and if you hold a secure tenancy you have the right to take in a client if your landlord provides you with their consent. If you are an assured tenant it is likely you have the right to take in a lodger but you will require the housing association’s consent. In both instances it is a good idea to let your landlord know that you are thinking about taking a Bromley Homeless client, as they may be able to help and advise you.
Who should I inform?
If you are thinking about taking in a Bromley Homeless client, you should contact your home contents insurer and inform them you intend to take in a tenant. They may want to obtain certain information and in some circumstances your insurance premiums may be affected. If you don’t contact your insurer to advise them you are taking in a client and you make a claim on the policy for an accident that has taken place during the time a client is in your home, you may find that the contents of your home are not covered.
Once you take in a client you need to let the following organisations know:
Council Tax – if you are a single person and receive a single person discount on your council tax you need to let the council tax section know about your client. If the client is a student they will not be considered to be a full time occupant and you will not lose your single person discount. The client must provide you with a letter from the place of education to forward on to your local authority.
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) – if you receive benefits you will need to let the DWP know that you have a client living with you and that you are paid monthly by the client. If you don’t advise the DWP and you are receiving additional income from the client, this is considered to be benefit fraud.
Housing Benefit – if you are on a low income and receive housing and council tax support, you will need to let the housing benefit team at your local council know you have a client staying in your home and the amount and frequency rent is being paid. If you don’t advise the housing benefit team that you are receiving additional income this is considered to be benefit fraud.
If I under-occupy my home, will taking in a Bromley Homeless client mean that I’m not affected by the “Bedroom Tax”?
The answer to this question is usually Yes. If, for example, you under-occupy your home by one bedroom and you take in a Bromley Homeless client, your home will be assessed as being fully occupied so the housing benefit will not be reduced. If you were under-occupying your home by two bedrooms and take in one client you would be considered to be under-occupying your home by 1 bedroom rather than 2 and your housing benefit entitlement would be adjusted accordingly. These rules may be subject to change as and when Universal Credit is changed. Under the proposed rules the Bromley Homeless client will not count as part of your household which means that you will be affected by the bedroom tax, but you will be able to keep all of the income you receive from the Bromley Homeless client, without it affecting your benefit.
What furniture should I provide?
As you are going to be letting the room on the basis that it is furnished, you will need to ensure that you have the right furniture in the room. The furniture you provide in the room will depend on the size of the room but you should provide the following:
A comfortable bed and mattress. It’s a good idea to fit a waterproof cover over the mattress.
A desk or table with lamp and a chair
Shelves on the wall or a small bookcase
A bedside table and lamp
A wardrobe and chest of drawers
All of the furniture you provide must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988. If you are buying new furniture this won’t be a problem, but if you are using older furniture it is a good idea to check for stickers or labels to ensure that the furniture is compliant with the regulations. Labels can be found on items such as mattresses, pillows, cushions, cloth covers on seats, curtains.