The council’s Housing Options team are administering the Exceptional Housing Costs fund.  The funding is to be used in exceptional cases of genuine emergency where existing housing support schemes do not meet this exceptional need, the Fund can be used to support housing costs.

Applications for exceptional housing costs are assessed by the Housing Options Team.  To apply, please contact the duty officer on 01962 848 163 or by email . The duty officer will complete an assessment with you to determine how we may be able to assist.

This scheme runs until 31 March 2024 or until all funds have been allocated. The funds are limited, and the council will prioritise those households in the most need.

Where eligible, ongoing housing support for rent must be provided through the housing cost element of Universal Credit (UC) and Housing Benefit (HB) rather than the Household Support Fund. In addition, eligibility for DHPs must first be considered before emergency housing support is offered through the Household Support Fund. The council must also first consider whether the claimant is at statutory risk of homelessness and therefore owed a duty of support through the Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG).

To be eligible you must be:

• over the age of 16 and be responsible for paying household bills
• a resident of the Winchester District
• in exceptional financial hardship and have insufficient resources to meet your immediate short term needs

Applications will be processed as quickly as possible, once a completed application has been received along with the supporting documents. A decision will be made based on the information provided, any other information available whilst considering all relevant circumstances and the reasons for the application.

Mortgage support – however, homeowners may still qualify for other elements of the fund such as food, energy, water and essential household expenditure. To find out more visit the Connect4Communities website.

• Paying off non-essential debt.
• Where financial support has already been provided through another grant or fund.
• Expenses in connection with legal costs – fees, costs, fines, damages etc.
• Repairs or improvements to the home
• Any need that occurs outside of the UK.
• Medical expenses/treatment.

Funding will not be provided by cash or direct payments to the applicant.  Payments will be made by the council directly to the landlord, utility company or other relevant provider of services.

The scheme is discretionary and there are no appeal rights. The council’s decision is final.