Award winning team preventing homelessness

A Swale Borough Council team, that has helped more than 100 people find stable private rented accommodation and avoid homelessness this year, has won a prestigious housing award.

The council works with households to find and stay in good quality private rented homes who would otherwise become homeless or have to continue living in temporary accommodation.

Since April 2026 the landlord team has found and helped fund homes for 67 households and have empowered an additional 39 households to secure their own homes by direct liaison with landlords or agents and providing financial support.

They help people throughout their journey; finding private rented homes that suit their needs, negotiating with landlords, working through paperwork, helping them pay their rent, and offering ongoing support to remain in their homes.

This includes assisting members of the households find employment, budgeting help, and engage with charities to assist in providing the essential items to allow a safe and stable start in their new homes.

The members of the team often support vulnerable households with complex needs and have helped people going through mental health crisis or abuse.

The landlord team go through affordability assessments with every household in temporary accommodation to help show them what they can afford, giving them the confidence to build a life in a stable home they can call their own.

The council’s landlord team has won the Excellence in the Private Sector Award at the Kent Housing Group’s Excellence Awards recognising their work to prevent and relieve homelessness in Swale.

A person who was assisted by the landlord team explained how they helped them find a home they can feel settled and safe in:

“I have been in temporary accommodation for just over a year as I became homeless after fleeing domestic abuse.

“The landlord team have found me a home where I can feel settled and safe and where I am near family and friends.

“Having a home where the children have space, a garden area and stability is very important to me.  The landlord team found an affordable lovely home.”

Another explained how they were able to move out of temporary accommodation after four years:

“I had a lot of anxieties and was very nervous about moving into private rented. The landlord team are helpful and knowledgeable about the process of moving into private rented.

“They explained everything every step of the way and put the information in writing so that I could go over it when I needed to.

“I had been in temporary accommodation for four and a half years and having this home means I can put down roots. The family feel settled and I can create a home with my own finishing touches”.

Another added how they were able to avoid homelessness thanks to the team’s ongoing support:

“I was under threat of homelessness and nervous having to move myself and my children and worried about going into temporary accommodation.

“The landlord team contacted me about a private rented property and secured this for me, meaning I only had to move my family once and be settled with my children.

“I was able to keep my children in their schools and friendship groups and kept myself local and close to my support network.

“The landlord team showed no judgement about my situation; were supportive and helpful and having their continued support is so very beneficial.”

Cllr Hannah Perkin, chair of the Housing, Health and Communities Committee, said:

“We are incredibly proud of the important work our entire housing team does, helping our most vulnerable residents find a home and avoid homelessness. This award shows just how hard our landlord team is working to help our residents.

“They offer invaluable support through every step of these often-stressful journeys; finding the right homes, negotiating with landlords, and importantly help them remain in their homes whether through direct financial support or budgeting help.

“People facing homelessness can often have complex needs, whether facing abuse or health issues, and our housing team treats each person with respect and dignity, always providing top quality tailored support free from judgement.”

The council has also recently agreed a five-year plan to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Swale.

This focuses on stepping in early to prevent people from losing their homes, rather than reacting once a family is already in crisis.

This strategy also identifies how the council will work to improve access to affordable homes and improve the quality of emergency housing.

And the council’s housing team will continue to work closely with private landlords to secure affordable renting options, prevent sudden evictions and mediate disputes.

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