Centenary House - story of a tenant.
Projects
Peter* is a 55 year old man who came to Launchpad on 16th October 2017. Prior to this Peter had lived in private rented accommodation for 20 years. Due to rent increase and subsequently losing his job Peter couldn’t afford to stay in his accommodation. He had applied for his pension early getting around £13,000 which he used to pay his rent but this only lasted for one year and Peter was subsequently evicted.
Peter was now sleeping rough and on his first night of doing, had his two suitcases of all his belongings stolen. He was left with all but nothing. Peter was sleeping rough for nearly a month before coming to Centenary House.
Peter has Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (OPD) which due to his rough sleeping developed into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Peter was supported in Launchpad to address some arrears and re-engage with his physical health. Due to his debts Peter wasn’t eligible for housing register but he set up a payment plan to address this. As Peter had always previously been in employment Peter had very little understanding of benefit entitlements and Housing benefit so some time was spent discussing and ‘educating’ Peter around this.
Peter was extremely proactive during his time with Launchpad attended all required appointments and was very positive about support he was given.
Peter eventually moved on to over 50’s supported accommodation in Reading in February 2019. He was extremely grateful for the support that Launchpad had given him. When he moved into his new home he was given his bed, table and arm chair that he had had a Centenary however Peter declined our offer of applying for grants for white goods for his new flat as he felt we had done too much already.
Peter had worked on his budgeting and savings and so brought a cooker and fridge for himself which he was most proud of. Peter was given eight weeks of resettlement support during which time he sorted the majority of his utilities himself and slowly added various items to his new home.
Zan his Support Worker has since bumped into Peter doing his shopping in Sainsbury’s. He is still living in his flat. His COPD has unfortunately gotten a little worse he is still very happy with his “forever” home.
*not his real name
Ian Caren
Chief Executive
Launchpad Reading
The Stables
1A Merchants Place
Reading RG1 1DT