Support for former homeless into employment in the forest

New Forest District Council (NFDC) has increased long-term support for formerly homeless residents with a new employment scheme, funded by a grant under the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative, to end rough sleeping. 

NFDC has partnered with Beam, a social enterprise and fundraising platform which helps homeless people find and maintain employment, to offer this support.

The scheme will initially support seven ex-homeless residents into jobs over a 12-month period. People are referred to the scheme by the council’s housing service. Caseworkers are then assigned to the individual to support them into a stable job.

People involved in the employment scheme will be supported to raise funds that contribute towards training, childcare, travel costs and computer equipment.

The job seekers will also be helped with CV writing, job interview preparation, and online job applications and are then matched with employers.

Councillor Jill Cleary, Housing and Homelessness Portfolio holder, said: “We have over 50 temporary accommodation sites and employ a team of workers to help homeless people with their tenancies. The project takes our existing work to the next stage with a package to help previously homeless people into employment and long-term accommodation.”

“Ever since the launch of our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy in 2019, we have very much wanted to support our ex-homeless clients into employment. Having now laid the foundation, it is the right time to launch this initiative. I look forward to some positive outcomes from the service over the coming months.”

Seb Barker, co-founder and chief operating officer of Beam, said: “It’s more important than ever that we’re supporting at-risk groups into quality employment that they can sustain. We’re delighted that the New Forest is the first council in Hampshire to partner with Beam, and we look forward to working with local employers.”

If residents are concerned about becoming homeless or are in this position already, the council have ways to help. Refer online through the Housing Assistance Referral Portal as early as possible on the NFDC website: www.newforest.gov.uk/homeless