TSP is changing

We are now actively seeking new referrals to the TSP Project.  Referrals can be for people who are unemployed but prioritising work or people who have already achieved employment but don’t have a move on option from their temporary accommodation project, and are willing to pursue a private rented sector housing option.

Whilst our funding has been extended to March 2010, please note that for TSP clients to receive the full TSP package of employment and property coaching, information, advice and guidance, and up to £1800 of financial incentives, clients will be required to have achieved sustainable employment by September 2009. From October 2009 onwards, TSP will provide non working clients with a full and enhanced employability service. Clients who have achieved sustainable employment will receive the full property coaching and PRS service up to December 2009.  The next few months are a really important time for unemployed clients registering onto the project.

With this in mind - and the clock ticking – please can you identify clients who could benefit from the TSP service and forward to us their applications as soon as possible.

What is TSP?

The Transitional Spaces Project (TSP) provides accelerated resettlement of residents of temporary supported hostel accommodation into the private rented sector. What makes TSP different to conventional resettlement models is that this is a work first model of resettlement.

Through an innovative incentive scheme and transitional support package, TSP aims to address the problem of ‘silt-up’ in hostels and supported accommodation – the lack of an adequate supply of move-on housing, which means that individuals stay in hostels longer than they need to, with a knock-on effect of a lack of space for current rough sleepers. By providing a work first model to support clients’ access to sustainable employment and private rented sector housing, it aims to demonstrate short-term impact and long-term sustainability by enabling hostels to refocus on their role as ‘transitional spaces’.

The project is being delivered in two UK regional centres, one in London and one in Tyneside. Both pilots will run from January 2007 to March 2010.

In London, TSP is based at London Bridge. The project employs a team of TSP Coaches providing a range of practical and motivational support as well as access to specialist employment services. This includes support with job-search, CV preparation, interview skills, ongoing mentoring, training, financial literacy and budgeting. Vitally, the project encourages people to think not only about employment, but also about a long term career, therefore building motivation for the future. The London project also employs a dedicated property coach who will work with clients to source suitable and affordable private rented accommodation. The Coaches work with the individual for up to six months after they have found a job and are settled in their own home, providing support as needed.

In Tyneside the project is being delivered by Tyneside Cyrenians, and their clients come from North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham. As in London, a team of coaches apply the same principles to support clients to find sustainable employment and to secure private rented accommodation.

To ease the transition between unemployment and employment, and between homelessness and housing, clients are eligible for a total of up to £1,800 in grants over a staged period providing certain criteria is met. These times are often problematic for clients as they are faced with changes to benefit claims and the expenses associated with renting a flat.

For further details, including Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply, please see Transitional Spaces Project information for clients.