Housing support
Housing support and homelessness
If a member of the public needs help with paying their rent how can I help?
There are lots of reasons why people can struggle to pay their rent. The person you are helping may be bedroom taxed, sanctioned, benefits capped or not managing their other bills. It is important to consider this as you explore why they are struggling with rent and how to help.
If they are in receipt of Universal Credit, they may be eligible to receive a Housing Costs element as part of their Universal Credit Award. If they can’t manage their rent payments or have fallen behind with their rent, then they can ask to have the housing costs element of their Universal Credit paid directly to their landlord.
If they are a pensioner, or are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing they may be eligible to claim Housing Benefit. See further information and make a claim.
If a member of the public is already in receipt of Housing Costs in their Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, but is still struggling to pay their rent, how can I help?
If they cannot afford to pay their rent, they may be able to claim extra help from the Council. This extra help is called a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). A DHP may be considered for:
- Rent in advance, a bond, or a rent deposit
- A shortfall between the amount of Housing Benefit / Housing Costs received and the amount of rent they must pay
- See further information and claim a DHP visit
If a member of the public is at risk of becoming homeless what can I do?
If someone is at risk of becoming homeless they can self-refer to the Council’s Housing Options Team and access advice on a range of housing issues.
Agencies can refer a resident who is at risk of homelessness to the Council, with their consent, by using the Duty to Refer webpage.
What do I do if a member of the public has eviction paperwork?
If someone has been issued with court papers for eviction, the Central England’s Law Centre’s housing solicitors can provide specialist help on 024 7622 3053 or email housingenquiries@centralenglandlc.org.uk
More general advice can be provided to those threatened with homelessness by Coventry Citizens Advice and Coventry Independent Advice Service.
If a member of the public has nowhere to go what can I do?
If someone is homeless and has nowhere safe to stay, please contact the Council’s Emergency Assessment Team on 024 7683 4025. For out of hours emergencies call 024 7683 2222.
If someone would like to alert the Council that someone is rough sleeping what can I do?
For further information please visit the Rough sleeping webpage
To notify the Council of someone who is rough sleeping please visit Streetlink's website.
If a member of the public is having problems with their landlord how can I help?
To discuss issues with landlords please contact the Council’s Housing Enforcement Team.
If a member of the public is moving from temporary accommodation into permanent accommodation and doesn’t have money for essential white goods and furniture how can I help?
Where a customer is re-settling into the community, usually because they are moving out of temporary accommodation, the Council can consider helping with essential household items under the Community Support Grant Scheme. Items include cooker, washing machine, fridge, beds, sofa / chair, cot, essential kitchen appliances.
See further information and apply for a Community Support Grant.
Help with paying Council Tax
If a member of the public needs help with paying their Council Tax how can I help?
They may be entitled to Council Tax Support which is a means-tested discount which helps low-income households with the cost of Council Tax payments.
- Pension age households can receive support of up to 100% of their Council Tax Bill depending on their circumstances.
- Working age households can receive support of up to 85% of their Council Tax Bill depending on their circumstances.
See further information and claim Council Tax Support.
Is there any other help that a member of the public can get with their Council Tax?
If a person is in a single person household then they can apply for a 25% single person discount.
There are also other exemptions and discounts available – for example, if someone in the home is a carer, an apprentice, a care home or hospital in-patient, severely mentally impaired, or a student.
Apply for a Council tax discount.
See further information about Council Tax discounts and exemptions.
If a member of the public is receiving all the help they are entitled to but is still struggling to pay their Council Tax how can I help?
Normally Council Tax bills are spread over 10 monthly instalments. If you would like to spread this over 12 monthly instalments please complete the Council Tax enquiries online form.
In exceptional circumstances, where the customer is experiencing extreme financial difficulties, the Council may be able to reduce the amount of Council Tax that they have to pay.
See further information on our discretionary relief policy.
If the person you are helping is in debt with council tax and seems confused about next steps, it’s important they get independent advice on what to do next.
Coventry Citizens Advice have a large dedicated Debt Advice Team providing one-to-one expert advice on debt issues. Coventry Independent Advice Service also delivers an accredited debt advice service in Coventry.
