Making the private rented sector work better for people facing homelessness

In September 2024, we launched a three-year partnership with the TDS Charitable Foundation, aiming to make the private rented sector (PRS) work better for people experiencing homelessness. The foundation is funded by TDS Group, which runs England and Wales’ leading Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

As living costs continue to rise, it's becoming even harder for people experiencing homelessness to find and keep a home in the PRS. Over the past year, support from TDS has helped us give Crisis members the expert help they need—and start pushing for bigger changes to make the system fairer for everyone.

The impact of our partnership

With the support of TDS funding, five Housing Access Specialists have been working across England and Wales to build vital relationships with landlords and open the door to safe, high-quality homes for Crisis members. Experts like Dawn, who works at our Skylight in Newcastle:

“Thanks to TDS funding we have more time allocated to rebuilding relationships with landlords and changing their perceptions of homelessness. Having the backing of a nationally recognised organisation such as TDS helping us to end homelessness raises our profile in the sector. Thank you!”

Over the past year, 364 Crisis members have been supported out of homelessness and into new tenancies in the PRS across England and Wales. In the communities where the five Housing Access Specialists work, TDS have made accessing those homes easier by funding deposits and rent in advance, as well as all the essentials to ‘make a house a home’.

“Having a home is so important because it’s stability. For once in my life, I actually feel safe.” Chris, member, Crisis Skylight South Wales. Chris was supported out of homelessness into a privately rented flat by Jo, a Housing Access Specialist. He also received a grant to purchase white goods like a washing machine.

Preventing homelessness before it happens is just as important as helping people find a home. We build strong, positive relationships between landlords and tenants to help resolve issues before they escalate. Over the past year, this approach has helped 112 people stay in their homes in the PRS.

What’s next?

The Renters’ Rights Bill (2025) is introducing new rights to protect renters if things go wrong in a tenancy. In preparation for these changes, Crisis and TDS are working on handy guidance, designed to help people understand their rights, particularly if they’re at risk of homelessness.

An important element of our partnership is improving the services we deliver for our members and sharing that learning with others. Thanks to TDS funding, MEL Research has been commissioned to evaluate our Housing Access service over the next two years. This evaluation will involve Crisis staff, landlords, and people with lived experience of homelessness to explore what’s working—and what we can do better.

Together with TDS, we’re not just helping people find homes now — we’re laying the groundwork for a fairer, more accessible PRS in the future.

Find out more about how Crisis works with landlords.