Accommodation in Welwyn at Central Herts YMCA

Central Herts YMCA an exciting place to work and live

The YMCA provides supported accommodation for individuals aged 18 or above who are in need of short to medium term housing.

It is largely funded by the Supporting People Programme, a Government grant that aims to give vulnerable people a stable home environment alongside support to enable them to improve their opportunities and quality of life.

Therefore, the YMCA not only offers accommodation, but a range of individual tailored support to help residents overcome issues they may face. Each YMCA resident has access to a Support Worker, who will draw up an Action Plan together with the person, to help them work towards their personal goals.

Residents come to the YMCA for a variety of reasons and the range of guidance we can provide covers:

• Accessing benefits
• Developing job skills and finding employment
• training
• Addressing substance misuse issues
• Life skills, cooking, budgeting
• Personal development

Through this combination of accommodation and support we aim to enable our residents to have the skills and confidence to move into permanent accommodation and support themselves.

What are the accommodation facilities at Peartree Lane?

• Single rooms, fully furnished and centrally heated
  
  
• Shared bathroom and toilet facilities on each corridor
  
  
• Bed linen is provided and rooms are serviced daily Monday to Friday by YMCA Housekeeping Staff
  
  
• Catered accommodation, with breakfast and evening meal provided - no access to cooking facilities

Additional Facilities

• Reception staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week
  
  
• An on-site Laundrette
  
  
• Access to on-site Move-On Accommodation. The YMCA has 34 en-suite rooms with shared kitchens and a further 6 spaces in self-catered, self-contained bed sits/flats
  
  
• Computing training room offering a variety of Key Skills Courses providing the skills to get people into work.

How much does it cost?

Rates up to April 2011:

Workers: £129.15
Benefit Claimants: £ 22.65

These are weekly charges and include breakfast, evening meal and all utilities (except TV Licence and telephone).

Our rates are reviewed annual (the next rate increase is due April 2011)

Workers on a low income may be able to claim Housing Benefit to assist them with paying their rent. Full-time students will only qualify for Housing Benefit in very limited circumstances.

For further information, please contact the YMCA Support Team.

Who can apply?

The YMCA’s priority group for accommodation are young adults aged between 18 and 30 with a local connection to the Welwyn Hatfield area, although individuals who fall outside of those criteria can also be housed, vacancies permitting.

Applications are welcomed from males and females, people of all faiths and none. The YMCA will not discriminate against any individual on the grounds of gender, age, marital status, race, ethnic background, nationality, religion, disability, medical condition or sexual orientation.

The YMCA currently only provides single rooms; regrettably, couples or families cannot be accommodated.

Most people who access the accommodation are referred to the YMCA by the local Council because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness. However, the YMCA also accepts applicantions from people seeking basic, affordable accommodation in the area.

How can you apply?

Anyone in need of housing who has a connection to the Welwyn Hatfield area must make an application through the local Council’s Housing Options Team.

The council can be contacted at:
Welwyn Hatfield Council
51 Bridge Road East,
Welwyn Garden City,
AL7 1JR,
Tel.: 01707 357796

Once the application has been made the council will refer the applicant to the YMCA. The council will do this by booking an appointment for interview at the YMCA on behalf of the applicant.

Applicants will need to show one of the following in order to have a valid local connection:

• Local residency
• Local employment
• Previous local residency
• Close family connection with someone living in the Borough.

Applicants without a local connection should contact the YMCA Support Team directly for an appointment.

Our selection process

• All applicants will be invited for an interview, where staff will assess the person’s support requirements and decide whether the YMCA is the best place to meet those needs.
  
  
• The YMCA will also take up two references and carry out a Police check for any convictions.
  
  
• If the person meets the criteria for accommodation, applicants with the greatest need have the highest priority.
  
  
• The YMCA operates a Waiting List if demand exceeds vacancies.