News
Homelink is QSA's project funded by Crisis to help single people who are homeless, vulnerably housed or sofa surfing in east London get into sustainable shared housing. Despite a Crisis campaign, housing benefit cuts introduced this month mean that people previously eligible for full housing benefit on a one-bed tenancy will now only qualify to share with others. Anyone aged between 18 and 35 years old is eligible for up to a maximum of £90 housing benefit per week, but affordable rooms are in short supply, and the average local room rent is closer to £120.
Homelink is appealing to local residents to earn cash by renting spare rooms to responsible lodgers. We're hosting an information event for prospective participants in the scheme.
| RENT A ROOM INFORMATION EVENT: QSA invites you for tea, cakes and a chance to find out how to earn over £4,000 extra annual household income and help change a life, by renting out a room to a young person in housing need. Get free information on legal and practical issues and meet lodging success stories. When: 11am – 12pm, Saturday 4th February 2012 Where: QSA's offices at 17 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PJ Contact: Marike on 020 8983 5060 or homelink@qsa.org.uk |
Project manager Marike explains "Renting out a room is a very practical and also sociable way of getting some extra income. Apart from the obvious financial benefit, people often also like the security and company of someone living in the house".
Tim is a local public sector worker and homeowner who decided to take up the scheme: "I started to rent out a room to a lodger in my two bedroom flat, getting some extra income. I was a bit worried at first, but now I find it actually really nice to have someone around in the house."
Nb. We're also always looking for socially responsible private landlords with spare rooms in their properties at the LHA rate.
