Be a Host today: Supported Lodgings Scheme

Most young people experience difficulties when they leave home. The Supported Lodgings service began in Harrow in 2007, initially as a pilot scheme jointly funded by Communities and Local Government and London Borough of Harrow, in response to the Government drive at the time to end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless young people aged 16-17.

Today we now deliver the scheme in West London to meet the needs of a diverse group of young people including the homeless, care leavers, asylum seekers, teenage parents and emergency placements. The purpose of the scheme is to provide supportive accommodation in a homely environment for young people to gain the skills required to live independently.

The scheme aims to bridge the gap between home or being in care, and living independently in the community; providing an opportunity for young people to seek help and advice from a caring host with the day-to-day living skills. Usually all that is needed is a listening ear, but inevitably some young people will need more help than others.

Who can be a host?

We need people from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds to become hosts. Being a Supported Lodgings Host is not about having any particular qualifications – it’s more about having the special skills and qualities we are looking for. A host wants to make a positive difference in a young person’s life. It may be that you have the skills and qualities we are looking for because you have children of your own, or because you have experience of working with young people. All that we ask in addition is that you are in good health, have a spare room and are willing to share your home with a young person.

• Live around West London

• Aged 21 or over

• Own or rent your own home

• Have a spare room

What you can receive?

• On-going support from our dedicated team

• Training

• Weekly rent payments for your room

• Additional payments for supporting the young person