Hoarding Service
At Stevenage Borough Council, our Tenancy Sustainment team and Hoarding Service can support people who struggle to part with items which are taking up too much space in their homes. This is sometimes known as:
- Cluttering
- Collecting
- Compulsive shopping
- Disorganisation
- Hoarding
Support is given in a person-centred way through an assigned support worker, who will work with you to develop a personalised support plan. Our aim is to assist you in managing the excess belongings by supporting you to declutter, improve access and ensure their property is safety compliant, whilst aiming to improve the overall property conditions and enhance the wellbeing of the tenant.
Working alongside our Housing Officers and other teams across the council, to ensure our tenants receive the right support for them.
Some of the things we can do to help include:
- carrying out individual fire safety inspections, identifying risks and putting in protective measures, like additional fire detection
- engaging with agencies who are already working with residents in alignment with our self-neglect and hoarding multi-agency policy, practice guidance and toolkit
- signposting or referring the resident to statutory organisations such as Herts Fire and Rescue and Herts County Council Adult Care, who may be able to offer - Support groups, Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
- Refer to voluntary support services that specialist in Hoarding and Decluttering – Hoarding UK, APDO
- Property adaptations to meet care needs or health and safety risks, for example, fire risks.
- working with the resident’s family members or friends (with their consent)
- in some circumstances, we may work with the Housing Officer to arrange a full or partial clearance of a property, with a resident’s consent - residents will be recharged the cost of clearance.
Tenants can refer themselves to the hoarding service by emailing hoarding.service@stevenage.gov.uk or ask for the Tenancy Sustainment team by calling 01438 242666.
