What does the Scheme Do?
Bridge2Home is a partnership Bond Guarantee Scheme funded by the Northern Rock Foundation. If a person is unable to raise their own Bond to be able to move into private rented accommodation, and is eligible for the scheme, we will enter into an agreement with the landlord to guarantee the Bond for up to a year, no money will change hands. The Bond Guarantee will be for one year reducing monthly based upon the tenant making regular savings. The landlord can make a claim against the Scheme up to the value of the Bond Guarantee. In return for guaranteeing the Bond we ask the tenant to save each month towards their own Bond, which will be theirs at the end of the year to give to the landlord as a cash Bond, or to move to another property. If a claim is made by the landlord against the scheme the tenant will be expected to make a proportional contribution to the claim from their savings.
Basic assistance will be given to the tenant to help them move into the property and tenants on the scheme will have their LHA payments sent directly to their landlord. Any shortfall of rent will be the responsibility of the tenant to pay directly to the landlord.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
To be accepted on to the scheme you should be:-
- Homeless or under threat of homelessness
- Have a local connection to the Darlington Borough and be a UK citizen
- Be on benefits or on a low income
- Be able to afford to sustain a tenancy on the property
- Be able to live independently
- Agree to and provide evidence of regular saving of the Bond over the12 month period
The scheme is open to single people, couples and families who meet the eligibility criteria following an initial referral from other agencies or in person.
Each person will be interviewed by the scheme’s project workers and each case will be assessed individually.
How to Contact Us:
Telephone: 01325 366397
E-Mail – bridge2home@700club.org.uk or alternatively:
Come to one of our drop in sessions:
Tuesday – 11.00am – 1.00pm Thursday – 11.30am – 1.30pm
Darlington Borough Council First Stop Darlington
Customer Services Tubwell Row
Town Hall Darlington
Darlington DL1 1PD
DL1 5QT
