Bridge2Home

Bridge2Home is a Bond Guarantee Scheme. 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. 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.

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.

PLEASE HELP THE FINANCIALLY EXCLUDED TO HAVE A HOME BY BECOMING A PLEDGEHOLDER

How to Contact Us:

Telephone: 01325 366397

E-Mail – [email protected]

Come to one of our drop in sessions: CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19

Monday 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm

700 Club Head Office, Roadway House, Beaumont Street West, DL1 5SX

Tuesday 11.00 am – 1.00 pm

Darlington Borough Council Customer Services, Town Hall, DL1 5QT

Download service specific leaflets by clicking on the following links:

For those seeking a Bond: Leaflet_Tenant_Jul_20_v2.pdf

To offer support as a Pledge-holder: Leaflet_Pledge-Holder_Jul_20_v2.pdf

To become a B2H landlord: Leaflet_Landlord_Jul_20_v2.pdf

Latest

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Recruiting Now

The 700 Club is actively recruiting for permanent, full time staff. If you are seeking a position working in social care, then there are opportunities across the organisation.

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We believe that no one should be left with no alternative but to sleep on the streets or on a friends sofa. To allow it diminishes not only those forced to do so but also those who know about it, but refuse to act. Together we can make a difference.
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Pledge up to £50 a year and open the door of a home for someone who, without your help, would be excluded from the stability and security that having one's own home provides.
DIY

There are always jobs to do across our projects. Could you paint a room? Could you repair a piece of furniture, replace a lock or help with the garden? We need your help!
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Our work goes on day after day, but it's only through the generous donations of our supporters that this remains possible. With your help we can bring an end to the suffering that homelessness causes.

Who are we?
Bridge2Home

Bridge2Home opens the door to the privately rented sector for those who are financially excluded from this sector because they cannot afford the bond.
The Lodge

The Lodge offers a temporary 'home' for people who are in housing crisis. If you are already rough sleeping, or in danger of doing so, call us for advice or call in at the Council's Housing Department for a Gateway assessment. You can also self-refer.
Supported Accommodation

The 700 Club provides 29 units of supported accommodation across its two hostels in Darlington. Individuals stay for up to a year as the progress towards independence.
Emergency Food

Out of hours food is held by the 700 Club at its hostel St. George's Hall in Elmfield Street. The store is available for access on all evenings and during the weekend. Agencies may refer people with whom they may have some involvement, but clients can call at St. George's Hall without referral.
Our History
Early Intervention Outreach Project

The 700 Club Early Intervention Project is a jointly funded partnership between Darlington Borough Council and Durham Police. It is based on the belief that big and costly problems can be prevented if they are addressed when they are still small.
Sponsor a room

We believe that no one should be left with no alternative but to sleep on the streets or on a friends sofa. To allow it diminishes not only those forced to do so but also those who know about it, but refuse to act. Together we can make a difference.
Volunteer for us

We have opportunities for volunteering across all our projects, whether your skills are with people, with administration, or whether you have some other skill you would like to share ... music, drama, art, sport, gardening, the list is endless.
Our Achievements

The 700 Club have provided nearly 400,000 bed-nights to those who would otherwise be forced to sleep rough, to sleep on a friend's floor, or to occupy some other kind of inappropriate accommodation.

Where the need is greatest

Our work goes on day after day, but it's only through the generous donations of our supporters that this remains possible. With your help we can bring an end to the suffering that homelessness causes. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Help those who beg

Loose change feeds problems, it is not a solution. Help us bring support to those who beg. People beg for different reasons, but for all it is symptomatic of need. Help us to meet the person's needs so that they are not diminished by the need to beg. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Twenty Five Years

In 2021 the 700 Club celebrates its Silver Jubilee. From the hastily erected mock doorway on High Row in Darlington, and the generous 700 who gave £50 towards opening a first hostel, the organisation has gone on to deliver nearly 400,000 bed-nights. What would a donation from you look like in 25 years? Read more

Donate Fundraise

Church View Apartments Open

After months in development, on 9th December, the first person to take up residence entered Church View Apartments. It was a significant moment for the 700 Club and for the people Darlington. Until now, the town has lacked supported move-on accommodation, but with the launch of this initiative 32 flats will be available where residents can cultivate the skills and confidence needed for independence. Read more