Celebrating 10-year anniversary of hostel with charity partner DENS

The Elms

This June, the TDS Charitable Foundation team helped mark the 10-year anniversary of The Elms. This is a 44-bed state-of-the-art homeless hostel in Hemel Hempstead (where the TDS headquarters is based) and is run by our charity partner DENS. 

The team heard moving stories from those who have rebuilt their lives with the help of DENS' services and had the opportunity to tour their impressive facilities first-hand.

The Elms is more than just a roof over a head. Their services aim to keep people off the streets by equipping them with mental health support and the confidence and skills to live independently and regain employability.

Last year, the Elms accommodated 163 people and supported 81 people to make a move towards independent living.

Improving access to the private rented sector with DENS

The TDS policy and research team with Wendy Lewington, CEO of DENS (second from left)

As in the rest of the UK, homelessness rates are rising in Dacorum. The shortage of social housing means that the private rented sector must play a role in tackling homelessness and meeting housing need.

The TDS Charitable Foundation has partnered with DENS and Dacorum Borough Council to develop a project that will improve access to the private rented sector (PRS) for people experiencing homelessness.

The development of the project was informed by TDS' research, which assessed the current level of housing need and the state of the private rented sector in Dacorum.

Off the back of our report, the project has begun to implement a range of interventions to support vulnerable renters in the borough to find affordable, stable accommodation in the PRS and sustain their tenancies. 

The project also involves engaging and supporting landlords to confidently rent their properties to tenants on low income or in receipt of benefits.

The programme sets itself apart from many PRS schemes by addressing both access to housing and prevention of homelessness. This is crucial to tackling the wider issues that can lead to homelessness occurring (rather than just focusing on rent arrears).  

This innovative project fits with TDS Charitable Foundation’s aim of helping individuals in need to access good quality accommodation in the PRS and to develop funded projects based on research and evidence.

Watch this space for updates on the project’s progress!