Partnering with the TDS Charitable Foundation to tackle homelessness in Dacorum
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
A guest blog by Sean Fitzgerald, Head of Accommodation Services, DENS
At DENS, a homelessness charity supporting people in the Hertfordshire borough of Dacorum, we see every day how insecure, unsafe, or unaffordable housing affects individuals and families.
We work with some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency and temporary accommodation, a foodbank, employment coaching, and therapy support. We focus not only on immediate relief but also on preventing homelessness and addressing its root causes.
Not having a safe home can have a devastating impact on a person’s physical and mental health, strain relationships, and erode confidence. Without stable accommodation, it is much harder to maintain employment, access healthcare, or meet basic human needs many of us take for granted.
This is why we are pleased to partner with the TDS Charitable Foundation to launch the Dacorum Private Rental Sector (PRS) service, which helps people access safe, affordable homes and stay there long-term.
Homelessness is a growing issue
At the heart of DENS accommodation support is The Elms, a 44-bedroom homelessness hostel. It provides safe, stable rooms for people experiencing homelessness and emergency accommodation for those who need somewhere to stay urgently. Alongside a roof over their heads, residents receive wrap-around support to help them rebuild their lives and move toward long-term housing.
Over the past three years, The Elms has seen a sharp increase in people needing accommodation, driven by the cost-of-living crisis and a severe shortage of suitable and affordable housing in the local borough of Dacorum.
“We all deserve a safe and secure place to live, whatever our circumstances.”
To understand the scale of the challenge, here’s a snapshot of homelessness in the UK and Dacorum:
Nationally, 4,667 people were recorded sleeping rough in Autumn 2024 – a 20% increase in one year and 91% higher than in 2021.[1]
Temporary accommodation use has reached record levels nationally, with 126,040 households (including 164,040 children), a 16% rise year on year.[2]
Locally, Dacorum Borough Council sees 2,000–2,500 households seeking homelessness support each year – more than double pre-2020 levels.[3]
40% of landlords are unwilling to rent to people receiving housing support, including Universal Credit, often due to concerns about late or unpaid rent.[4]
At the heart of this complex issue is a fundamental truth: we all deserve a safe, secure place to live, whatever our circumstances.
How the private rented sector can help
Research by the TDS Charitable Foundation shows that homelessness from the private rented sector is rising in Dacorum. The number of people approaching the council for help after a tenancy ended has doubled from 206 in 2016 to 425 in 2023.
For low-income households, finding and keeping a private rented home can be difficult. But with the right support, private renting can also help to solve and prevent homelessness.
That’s why we’re working with the TDS Charitable Foundation to launch the Dacorum PRS service, providing practical, local support to help people access and sustain private rented homes.
We work to build trust with local landlords by offering:
24-hour property management
Help covering gas and energy certificate costs
Guidance on compliance and Decent Homes Standards
Free training on Universal Credit and tenancy law
Guaranteed deposit and first month’s rent
At the same time, tenants get advice and support to maintain their homes or find a suitable new one. They are also supported with budgeting, benefits, documentation, and understanding their tenancy rights and responsibilities.
By supporting both landlords and tenants, the PRS service strengthens the private rental market and prevents homelessness.
“[We] are beginning to see life-changing results for people who were previously facing significant housing insecurity.”
Looking ahead
Even though the service is only a few weeks old, the response has surpassed expectations. We have already worked with several landlords and tenants and are beginning to see life-changing results for people who were previously facing significant housing insecurity.
As the service grows, we hope it will reshape the local housing landscape and offer a lifeline to people at risk of homelessness. Over three years, our goal is to reduce by 30% the number of people accessing DENS services due to loss of PRS accommodation. We are thrilled to have almost met our first-year target of a 5% decrease.
We look forward to building on this strong start and working with our partners to strengthen our impact even further.
To find out more about DENS, our integrated services, and how you can support our charity, visit www.dens.org.uk.
[1] Source: Gov Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England, Autumn 2024
[2] Source: Gov Statutory Homelessness (England) data up to September 2024
[3] Source: Dacorum Borough Council Preventing Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029
[4] Source: English Private Landlord Survey