Help with furniture for first home.

JamesHT_2

Hey everyone, I'm currently looking for some help covering the costs of furniture and standard household equipment.

For the passed few months me and my partner have both been homeless but luckily have been offered a one bed flat by our local council and are signing our tenancy tomorrow.

Unfortunately due to being homeless we have no furniture and nothing to actually sustain us in our property. I'm currently in receipt of income based job seekers allowance and will be adding my partner to my claim the day we move in. We're both looking for work and hopefully at least one of us will be in full time employment in a few months.

In the meantime however we're in desperate need of furniture and pretty much everything else in order to set ourselves up.

I'm looking for advice on any grants or loans that we may be entitled to in order to help us, if someone could point us in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I've looked into a community care grant but I'm unsure as to whether or not we would qualify. Considering we've been homeless for quite a few months would we come under the category of resettling after living an unsettled way of live? Or is this strictly if you've gone through an official resettlement program?

If we happen to be not eligible for a community care grant could someone give me a rough idea of our chances of being accepted for a £1500 budgeting loan?

Thanks again guys, also sorry for the long read. Ha-ha

Cheers - JamesT

butler_helen

I can't help with budgeting loans but I recommend freecycle and freegle - we have had house things and given house things on there.

[Deleted User]

Try gumtree as well,we gave an almost doning set away on there last week,and possibly local charities(not charity shops who sell,although they can have bargains)

Witch_Hazel

Try local freebie groups on facebook.

fluffymovie

Good luck on the move and really hope this is the start of something special for you!

With regards to help with furniture etc, I would contact the Jobcentre for advice Community Care Grants. From April, these will be dealt with by your Local Council or County Council so get in quick,

My last LA's Housing office also had a small voucher scheme for Argos vouchers etc. You may also be able to find furniture reclycling in your area and as others have said, gumtree.

Good luck to you in your new home.

missapril75

Has anybody been involved in supporting/advising you through the homeless/housing period? If so, you'd need their support for a CCG.

It needn't be a strict resettlement, but there really ought to be 'something' along those lines and either of you may well have experienced something that helps a case.

You might be approaching borderline on the resettlement issue, but other things might help. Like the exceptional pressures category - those things, for example, that led to homelessness and continued.

Maybe you got some sort of priority on the housing issue (as opposed to getting lucky with the offer) that might help your case.

Not sure of limits for loans now but you're being optimistic on the £1500.

pmlindyloo

Another option is to pop into CAB and find out if there are any charities that will help out.

One in our town does a home starter kit.

Another source is friends - amazing what people have to spare - don't be afraid to ask.

Community Care grants have very strict criteria - google to find out.

Budgeting loans may be a possibility but they have to be paid back. The more you can get free the better,

I furnished my first home totally free, all be it a bit of a mish mash! When you are back on your feet you can gradually replace items as and when you can afford it.

Good luck for the future.

JamesHT_2

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I've tried contacting my local jobcentre as well as talking to an adviser from the citizens advice bureau but neither of them were much help to be honest.

They couldn't give me a straight answer on whether we should apply for a community care grant or a budgeting loan. Neither seemed to know if I would be eligible for a community care grant.

I'm hoping someone here will be able to provide me with an informed answer of whether or not we would be eligible and likely to receive a community care grant. If someone could answer this or if you would need more background information I would really appreciate a reply or a private message if more information is needed.

Any other hints and tips on saving money once we move in or places to get cheap furniture would also be incredibly helpful and much appreciated.

Thanks again everyone for the replies and helpful hints so far.

Cheers - JamesT

barbaraemmerson

if you are involved with a social worker - have a word with him/her - they are a mine of information and can also post on their own intranet - asking for furniture/white goods for Clients from other council workers

dseventy

Hi

With your homeless status you will have had contact with the council or social workers? Or a homeless charity?

Suggest you start there, they can help with the basics.

As for the application, don't look the £ money amount, what do you need?

Also look on facebook/freecycycle (as you have an internet connection).

D70

Charityworker

I was briefly homeless about 10 years ago. I got a matress and 1 dining chair from the jobcentre. Apart from that I just bought a bit at a time when I could afford it, it soon accumilates.