ENVISION
Corby based, 9 bed facility across 3 houses, providing short to medium term accommodation for those who are homeless
The Accommodation
Our Corby Homeless Project is three properties which house 9 people in single bedrooms, with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.
It provides medium term accommodation for people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The aim of the project is to help individuals address barriers to long term housing, and move them on into what we hope is their ‘forever’ home.
Support we offer
While staying with us, individuals receive support tailored to their unique needs. For some, it’s simply a safe place to stay while we help secure alternative accommodation. For others, it might involve more intensive support — such as managing debt, tackling addiction, or building life skills.
Our dedicated staff and volunteers offer help with:
- Managing debt and budgeting
- Accessing training, education, or employment opportunities
- Navigating the homelessness application and housing pathway
- Addressing physical and mental health concerns
- Developing everyday life skills like cooking, cleaning, and paying bills
- Connecting with addiction recovery networks and services
- Finding and furnishing suitable accommodation
Ongoing support
We work closely with the local authority and a range of accommodation providers — including supported housing and private landlords — to help individuals move on into more permanent housing.
Even after someone leaves our service, we continue to offer support to help them maintain their new accommodation. This could be as simple as helping to set up direct debits or more involved support, such as attending appointments with them or arranging food parcels.
Our aim is to ensure that individuals not only find a place to live — but are able to keep it, thrive in it, and feel secure in their future.
Access To Our Service
Referrals
All residents must be referred by North Northants Council, normally the outreach or housing team.
If you are rough sleeping, you should contact the rough sleeping team or housing team at NNC at roughsleepingteam@northnorthants.gov.uk or calling 01536 464630.
Eligibility
Most of our eligibility criteria is based on whether an individual is homeless and being supported by the local council.
We assess each case individually through a risk assessment, which considers both the person’s needs and situational factors — including the needs of other residents, staffing levels, and the resources we have available to provide appropriate support.
There are a few additional eligibility considerations we apply as standard:
The individual has an unspent conviction for arson
The individual has an unspent conviction for a sexual offence
The individual is considered to be at significant risk in the local area, which could pose a risk to others — including residents and staff
If you have any questions about eligibility or referrals, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Assessments
All potential residents will take part in an assessment, either face-to-face or over the phone. During this process, we ask questions about their current situation, housing history, and any support needs they may have.
We encourage individuals to be open and honest — there is no judgment. The more we understand about a person’s challenges, the better we can support them. For example, someone with anxiety may benefit from a quieter room, or we may ensure access to clean needle exchange facilities for those who need them.
We also carry out a risk assessment, taking into account both the individual and the existing residents in the house. This helps us ensure that everyone’s stay is as safe, positive, and supportive as possible.
Cost
Whilst residing with us, we as an organisation are in receipt of their housing benefit which covers roughly 70% of our costs.
We also ask that residents pay a nominal service charge each week to help cover the other costs, and to also build positive habits around paying bills and costs, and budgeting.
We will not ask residents to pay this to the detriment of the client, for example if they have no money due to a benefit delay. We may, depending on the circumstances, ask for evidence for this.
FAQ’s
Is there a minimum or maximum length of stay?
We are not prescriptive about a resident’s length of stay with us; however, we generally expect individuals to stay for a minimum of six months, and typically no longer than 18 months. The duration varies depending on each person’s individual needs and the time it takes to secure more permanent accommodation.
I am an agency - can I refer a client to you?
Unfortunately we are not able to accept referrals from anyone other than the local council.
If you or someone you are working with is homeless you should contact the local council as soon as possible and complete a homeless application. If suitable, they will refer you to the project.
Is it men only?
We are open to all genders as we have individual rooms rather than shared.
Our bathroom, kitchen and lounge facilities are shared with up to two more people.
We will not refuse accommodation due to how someone identifies or any other characteristic.
Unfortunately our accommodation is not suitable for those who are disabled, who use a wheelchair or who struggle with stairs. For someone with a disability you may qualify for priority need with the council so we would recommend contacting them.
Is there a charge for residents?
We ask residents to contribute a nominal service charge each week, whilst they are with us. This is to cover costs and to get into the habit of paying rent/bills. Our aim is to enable people to gain and maintain permanent accommodation and paying bills is a key part of this.
This is currently £10 a week.
We would never refuse entry to someone who could not pay, nor would it be detrimental to someone’s stay if they were unable to pay – we would work with them to establish why and resolve this.
Do you operate a waiting list?
Yes we operate a waiting list. All referrals are placed on the waiting list and then are brought into the house on a first come first served basis. We do not make judgements about who is in higher need than soneone else.
Once a referral is made, you may be asked some basic questions and you will be placed on the waiting list. When a space comes up, or is about to, we will contact you to arrange an assessment.
How long will I have to wait before I can come in?
Unfortunately our beds are full nearly all of the time and we have several people our waiting list all year round. As things constantly change, it could be a couple of weeks or it could be months.
In the meantime we would encourage you to contact the local council to open a homeless application, and would also encourage you to apply to supported accommodation in the areas if that is suitable.
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Please email us if you have any further questions that aren’t answered on our website envision@encompasscharity.org.uk