Transitional housing is a stepping stone. The aim is that you leave with the skills, confidence and paperwork to keep a home of your own. Planning early makes the move much smoother.
Start planning early
- Talk to your coach about moving on from your first few weeks, not your last.
- Agree what "ready" looks like for you: managing money, bills, cooking, staying on top of appointments.
- Ask how long you can usually stay, and what notice you'll get.
Build a track record
- Pay your service charge on time and keep records. A clean payment history helps with references.
- Ask your provider for a reference when you're ready to move.
- Keep copies of your ID, benefit letters and any certificates from courses in one safe place.
Make the most of coaching
- Use sessions to practise budgeting, dealing with bills and contacting your council or Jobcentre.
- Ask for help with applications: the council's housing register, rent deposit schemes and grants for furniture.
- Work towards training, volunteering or work if that's your goal.
Find your next home
- Use the Supported move-on filter to find landlords who welcome people moving on from supported housing.
- Check what you'll be able to afford with our LHA calculator. If you've lived in a homeless hostel for three months or more, you may get the one-bedroom rate even if you're under 35. See the shared accommodation rate explained.
- Ask your council about joining the housing register if you haven't already.
On moving day
- Your housing costs usually move from Housing Benefit to the housing part of your Universal Credit. Report the change of address and your new rent the same day.
- Tell the council you've left, so Housing Benefit for your old address stops.
- Set up gas, electricity, water and council tax in your name if they aren't included.