Citizens Advice IW is one of the providers of Homelessness Prevention Services giving community support on the Isle of Wight

Who we are and our values:

• We help people find a way forward.

We can all face problems that seem complicated and intimidating. At Citizens Advice we believe no one should have to face these problems without good, independent quality advice.

• We speak up for our clients.
• We make a difference.
• We are a non-judgemental service that provides impartial advice
• We listen
• We give options

Citizens Advice Isle of Wight will provide you with the following:

Confidential Advice. We will not tell anyone about your case and will not pass on anything from our records (which are subject to quality control) to anyone outside the Citizens Advice Service without your permission, unless you give us permission, we are required to do so by law, or it is the right and necessary thing to do to keep you and others safe.

Support to achieve your goals in a planned and manageable way. We will listen to you and plan with you what you want to do and how you want it done.

 What we do:

• Ensure that we give relevant and up-to-date housing advice
• Find solutions for clients so that they are able to remain in their existing homes if possible and if that’s what you want
• Explore housing options with people who are at risk of being homeless in a planned and organised way
• Advise on how to reduce any rent arrears and manage other debts
• Mediation and support between different organisations involved in your support package
• Mediate with your landlord or housing provider to prevent or delay homelessness
• Help you to apply for social housing via Island Homefinder
• Provide assistance with helping get daily things resolved that you would otherwise find difficult to do yourself. For example, be there to assist you when you make phone calls or help you on visits.

What we cannot do:

• Provide transportation, but we can support you top find options which work for you
• Offer medical advice, we can support you with making appointments
• Provide advice on everything, but we can signpost you to relevant agencies who can
• Provide you a home, but we can advise and support you to get housed.

We might not be able to support you to meet all the deadlines you have, but we will do our best. We may have to stop advising you if we believe we cannot progress your case for you or there is no further benefit, or if you are unable to work with us.

In return, we ask you:

• To keep appointments, you have made with us (or let us know in advance if you cannot attend).
• To inform us of any changes in your circumstances (such as change of address, birth of a child, additional income, etc) which may be relevant to your case.
• To bring in all the papers relevant to your case which your Advisers asks for to support you.
• Not to negotiate on your own behalf without discussing it first with your Advisor.
• Not to turn down a housing offer which your Adviser advises is reasonable.
• To follow advice wherever possible, unless you and your Adviser agree you should do something different.
• To be honest with us e.g., b telling us about all your support and housing needs so we can help you in the best way.
• To always treat our staff and volunteers with courtesy and respect.

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How to access this service - If you are already being supported by another professional/ support agency and would like support to try and remain in your home, they can help you to apply for support by completing and returning a referral form to the Homelessness Intervention Support Team at the IW Council.

To contact the Citizens Advice IW team directly

Phone: 01983 823898
Email: [email protected]