In the last three months we have sadly seen a spike in people using our free drop-in service.
The cost-of-living crisis is pushing people, some with well paid jobs, to breaking point. Growing numbers of people are finding they can no longer meet the cost of their mortgage or rent and increasing energy bills.
As part of our dedicated drop-in team, we are fortunate to have Vneeta, a solicitor who spends half her working week at Launchpad.
Vneeta is available to talk through any legal issues related to housing and give legal advice to people on what their rights are.
For example, she can help if local authorities are refusing to accept homelessness applications, and challenge their decisions in relation to an applicant’s eligibility to apply as homeless (due to their immigration status), whether someone is intentionally homeless, and also whether an applicant is in priority need or the suitability of an offer of accommodation and defend possession and housing injunction proceedings.
Vneeta splits her time between Launchpad and the local legal firm Turpin & Miller. She also acts as duty solicitor on alternative Mondays at Reading County Court, where she supports anyone who has a first court hearing in a housing possession case. She said:
“There are many reasons that numbers of people using Launchpad’s drop-in service are increasing. Whilst everyone’s situation is different, I would say in every case the earlier people seek help – the better. This is true for people paying a mortgage or renting.
“People can feel they are in a desperate situation, but there are things that can be done. Sometimes a phone call is all it takes to give people a bit more time to ensure they do not end up on the street.”
If necessary, Vneeta will then take legal action on behalf of clients and act as an advocate. Vneeta also helps to train our floating support team on legal issues and developments, ensuring our staff are up to date on housing law.
Our aim at Launchpad is to do all we can to prevent homelessness and our drop in is a good place for people to seek help, regardless of circumstances. You don’t need to be referred or book an appointment to see our drop in team. Simply come to our offices in central Reading and speak to one of our friendly, trained support team.
In one of the coldest weeks of January 2023, Vneeta was able to challenge a decision by the local authority not to provide housing for a woman just released from prison, who had nowhere to go and was about to end up on the streets.
The vulnerable 33-year-old had an over-the-phone housing assessment in which she was denied a place to live. She had been supported by a charity from prison who did their best to help and were able to secure two nights’ accommodation for the woman, who lives with mental ill health and has a history of substance misuse.
SWEP (severe weather emergency protocol) was activated after the two nights in B&B came to an end however the lady was worried that this was very time limited and would be street homeless.
The charity contacted Launchpad for help. Vneeta swiftly challenged the decision and interim accommodation was provided and a PHP (personalised housing plan) so the woman was aware of and able to start working towards her housing plan. The woman had previously not felt able to engage in the making of the plan as she believed she was not being offered interim accommodation.
The client was incredibly grateful for Vneeta and Launchpad’s help and said she could see how much it meant to Vneeta, who she described as ‘a banging solicitor’. She added that women released from prison are often treated appallingly and it was good to know some people cared
You can visit drop-in any Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 10am and 2pm.
Find us at Launchpad The Stables, 1A Merchants Place (just off Friar Street), Reading RG1 1DT.