HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICE
The Homelessness Prevention Service (HPS) was commissioned in April 2009 by the City of Edinburgh Council to help people avoid becoming homeless.
It is a unique service that works with people who have never been homeless and who are often in education or employment.
HPS works with people who may not see themselves as having anything to do with homelessness, but who may have difficulties with:
- bills and budgeting, rent/mortgage arrears- any kind of debt
- problems with landlords, mortgage providers
- problems with partner, family or neighbours
- difficulties with health including drug or alcohol use
- feeling lonely or isolated
HPS…
- is a free service and works with people who haven't been homeless before (or at least not in the past 3 years) can work with people for up to 6 months.
- is available city wide
- is available regardless of tenure (Council, private let or you've got a mortgage)
- support is flexible (if you're in education, training or employment we can see you at times that suit you)
- has a track record of good outcomes
- is easily accessible
- has a quick response time
- is available to anyone aged 16 and overhas a highly skilled staff team has good links with other services and opportunities
- is registered with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (Care Commission)
HPS has a befriending service which is run using volunteers to support HPS customers who are lonely or isolated- please see our
befriending page.
Contact us on 0131 475 2556
or email: hps @ cyrenians . org . uk
Downloads
"I was at the point of being evicted and I just plucked up the courage to ask for help. HPS helped me to keep my house and to find a new job."
"Wearing a suit doesn't mean you're not at risk of homelessness."
"I lost my job and got into mortgage arrears. I was getting nowhere with my mortgage lender until HPS got involved. Even when the lender started court proceedings for repossession, my personal advisor kept trying.
Actually when the court proceedings started, my case moved to a different department and they were happy to talk to me about a repayment plan instead of repossession. "
"I've always been up to date with my rent payments. I didn't realise that my housing benefit had stopped until I got a letter from my landlord telling me I was being evicted. The stress made me suicidal. HPS helped me to sort it out and I'm back on track now."
