The housing crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing people in Enfield, with the continuing rise in the cost of living increasing the threat of homelessness for many.
The causes of homelessness are complex and varied. This list of services and resources to help combat homelessness is not exhaustive, but covers a spectrum of local services and resources provided either by Enfield Council, other housing providers, national charities or local community organisations, which play an important role in building community resilience and preventing homelessness.
Join the network
This list is provided by EVA’s Cost of Living and Homelessness Network. Enfield community and voluntary groups can sign up here to join the network, receive our regular mailings and take part in our meetings and training events.
If your organisation provides a service supporting Enfield residents with housing and homelessness issues, please get in touch so we can consider including this in our listing.
Please note: EVA is publishing this list as a guide to local services that may be useful for supporting people facing homelessness or the threat of homelessness. We are not responsible for the organisations listed, or for the support, services or advice they provide.
Enfield community resources – support with housing and homelessness issues
Council housing services
Enfield Council provides online resources to help residents to understand and manage their housing situation, including an online homelessness self-help tool. This provides residents with tailored advice and information, including how to contact the council’s housing advisory team.
Enfield Council’s housing factsheets can also help residents understand the council’s homelessness policies and services. They include information on discretionary housing payments, for residents hit by shortfalls in rent caused by benefits limits.
Other housing providers
Sanctuary Supported Living in Church Street, Edmonton, provides intensive housing management support, with short and long-term supported housing options, for people aged 18 to 65 who have a range of mental health needs.
Enfield Single Housing offers shared accommodation for single people who are homeless across Enfield.
Ark Resettlement Services provides ex-offenders with housing and holistic support on release from prison for up to two years.
National housing advice services
National charity Shelter’s housing advice service is an independent service that provides guidance on housing rights and how to engage with the council. It also provides template letters.
Advice for Renters offers specialist legal advice on housing repairs and rent arrears, along with money and debt advice, energy advice and a mentoring and befriending service.
National homelessness charity Crisis has a guide with simple practical steps to help support anyone who is homeless and sleeping on the streets.
Enfield community groups offering homelessness and housing support
All People All Places offers day centre and night shelter support, which includes housing advice, support and advocacy for rough sleepers and local residents at risk of homelessness. Call 07851 228 469.
Solace Women’s Aid Enfield Refuge offers specialist and safe temporary accommodation for up to six months for women who are in crisis, or at risk of harm, along with their children.
Hearts and Helpers, based in Ponders End, provides goods, services and support for local people affected by homelessness, financial hardship or domestic abuse.
Citizens Advice Enfield runs an advice line that offers free, independent and impartial advice to Enfield residents on housing and debt, welfare and benefits. Its website includes translation into four community languages.
Stand Together Network provides a service for adult Enfield residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with a holistic approach offering training support.
Enfield Law Centre provides free legal advice to Enfield residents on housing problems including Section 21 eviction notices, welfare benefits, employment law, debt and immigration issues.
Cost of living support services and resources
Enfield Community Hubs, run by Enfield Council, provide face-to-face advice and support on housing issues, along with advice on benefits, debt, jobs and skills training.
North Enfield Foodbank provides emergency food parcels, fuel vouchers, sim cards and a weekly drop-in debt advice service.
Christians Against Poverty Enfield offers debt advice and tailored debt management support, money management and job skills support.
Enfield Council has compiled a list of local foodbanks and pantries, helping residents to get low-cost or free food.
The council also has an extensive cost of living resource page to support residents with many other aspects of the cost of living crisis.
Health and wellbeing support
Local GP group Medicus Healthcare offers a free NHS service for homeless patients to give them direct access to a GP and emergency care practitioners
Sanctuary, a service hosted by Mind in Enfield and Barnet, is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service open every day of the year, providing support to local residents aged over 18.
Hestia Enfield provides people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties with community-based support to break down barriers to social inclusion and wellbeing. It also provides practical help, including attending appointments and form-filling for housing and benefits.
Training and resources for community groups
Shelter has a range of introductory and specialist training courses that are free to Enfield community and voluntary organisations that provide housing, homelessness, debt or welfare benefits advice to improve people’s housing situations.
Homeless Link is the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England. It offers a range of free resources on specialist topics.