Visiting Housing Support

 

As part of The City of Edinburgh Council’s Homelessness Prevention Services, we provide Visiting Housing Support to young people. We work with those who are at risk of becoming homeless, who are homeless or have recently experienced homelessness.

Through one-to-one support with an allocated worker, this service aims to help individuals to explore their housing options, which in turn will move them towards finding and keeping more suitable, permanent accommodation. The support also focuses on helping young people maximise their income, gain education or employment opportunities, develop independent living skills and improve their own wellbeing.

VHS provides trauma-informed support through weekly visits within the individual's home or in the community if needed. Our work is person-centred, flexible, and responsive to the changing needs of the service users. The service length is dictated by the needs of the individual but often can last between 6 and 18 months.

 

Responsive support focuses on accessing, establishing, and maintaining an appropriate tenancy, gaining or improving independent living skills and can be practical, social, or emotional in nature. The tasks can include:

  • Setting up a tenancy, including accessing furnishings and decoration, setting up utility bills and rent payments.
  • Help to access any benefits an individual is entitled to.
  • Improving wellbeing – advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, shopping, cooking, staying active, and looking after mental health.
  • Helping to work and strengthen professional and personal relationships.
  • Finding a job, volunteering, and training opportunities or engaging with education.
  • Managing challenges arising from being a parent.
  • Improving finances – help to deal with debt, apply for grants or maximise benefits.
  • Accessing specialist services to help with mental and physical health, substance misuse, criminal justice, or caring responsibilities.

This service is amazing. There is no way I would be doing the things I am today without the support of LinkLiving staff.

Someone benefitting from Visiting Housing Support

How you can access this service

Young people aged 16-25 in Edinburgh can self-refer or be referred to LinkLiving by another professional or organisation. Support varies depending on need, funding streams, and referral channels. Support is limited in duration/tasks undertaken depending on funding.

If you require Visiting Housing Support (VHS), please fill in the VHS One Way In Referral Form.

We also have a VHS enquiries phone line on 0131 603 0400 - you can call this number if you have any questions about the VHS service.