Spotlight Series: Meet Rentstart
Amy meets Andy
For the second instalment of our Spotlight Series, Amy, our Communications and Events Officer, caught up with Andy from Rentstart to find out more about homelessness in Elmbridge.
Who are Rentstart?
Rentstart offer a holistic approach to support people facing or experiencing homelessness. From the moment someone walks through the doors of their hub in Walton high-street, a process begins where the individual is assessed practically, and perhaps as importantly, emotionally.
Andy makes it clear that it’s a different process for each person, just with the shared goal of finding them somewhere to live. Depending on their circumstances and needs, Rentstart can offer a multitude of support, from a hot shower to photography workshops. Rentstart’s support team can also offer practical help with filling out forms, which can be one of the biggest barriers for people facing homelessness.
“The system when someone is in that position is complex. It’s a minefield, especially when you’re in a vulnerable place”
As community engagement manager, Andy’s main job is to educate the public about what street homelessness really is, “not just what people think it is”.
He explains that one of the biggest challenges in his role is that “there’s a huge misunderstanding about what homelessness is. In reality, it’s very complex, and every individual has their own story, journey and reasons”.
“The people that we work with are no different to you or I. That’s a barrier that we try and break down. Homelessness is not a sub-culture. It’s simply that everyone has problems, and it just so happens to have manifested into homelessness”
Worrying signs
When asked whether issues around insecure and unaffordable housing are getting worse, Andy is quick to answer; homelessness is “getting worse nationally and in Elmbridge too. There is a trend of seeing more people needing our help”.
In 2024, nearly 600 people visited the hub with concerns about homelessness.
As we know so well at Walton Charity, Elmbridge is the 9th most unequal borough in the country, with huge disparity between the wealthiest and poorest residents. We see first-hand how headlines like ‘Elmbridge is the Beverly Hills of England’ mask the concerning levels of poverty and make open conversations about poverty and inequality difficult.
Moreover, Andy explains, the cost-of-living crisis has recently magnified financial problems for people who were already vulnerable. The crisis has a dual effect on the housing market, as landlords also suffer from rising costs. As such, the stock of affordable rental properties is decreasing, whilst the need for them is growing. It’s a difficult issue that Rentstart is working hard to combat, and their voice around key debates is incredibly valuable.
Rentstart’s Big Sleepout, Rentstart, rentstart.org.uk, 2024
Bringing the community together
Andy plays a major role in bringing local people together. The most recent Sleep-Out saw 75 people from all sectors of the community come together to spend a night sleeping outdoors in cardboard boxes. Andy states that the main takeaway of an event like this is to give people “a deeper understanding of what street homelessness is”. It’s the physical discomfort, but most overwhelmingly, it’s the sense of being vulnerable. Andy is adamant that anyone who participates will “never look at street homelessness the same way”. The Sleep-Out will be returning later this year, so keep an eye out for your chance to get involved.
New year, new mission?
Regretfully, Andy explains that whilst their priorities change to ensure they remain impactful, “the mission is sadly the same”. He explains that “in the Old Testament, 3000 years ago, it was written, look after the homeless. 3000 years on, we still haven’t got it right. In 3000 more years, will we still be struggling with homelessness?”
It’s certainly an interesting question, and with increasing difficulties around affordable housing, it’s hard to predict.
We know from our Elmbridge Poverty Profile and our Under the Radar report that average house prices in Elmbridge are 14 times the average earnings, with average monthly rents being 41% higher in Elmbridge than the rest of the country. 80% of people surveyed by us in 2023 said they think there isn’t enough affordable housing in Elmbridge. Key findings from our research reveals that a growing number of working families (where one of both parent is in work) are facing poverty, showing that the gap between poverty and wealth is shrinking.
Other factors like the high number of empty homes in Surrey compound the issue. Andy expresses his shock at the statistics that there’s more space given to golf courses than to social housing in Surrey, yet he’s “brought back to hope and purpose when the community responds and moves forward”.
“People who have had a life with everything in it collapse in front of you. It’s utterly heartbreaking. What Rentstart do is help someone get back to a place where they are regaining self-belief, purpose, and hope. These are the things that are missing when you are homeless.”
Personal motivation
Despite the joy of seeing the community coming together, tackling homelessness is not easy, so what really motivates Andy to keep going?
He explains that when he was made redundant in 2008, he was invited to work with a homeless charity. “I’d never done anything like that in my life. That’s where my learning started”.
The incredible work of the Rentstart team and their ability to be agile in response to the ever-changing landscape of homelessness is also a big highlight.
Yet what stands out the most is knowing that he’s “doing something hugely important and ultimately positive”.
*Names and photos don’t relate to client stories
“Alex* had a terrible accident and couldn’t work due to physical and mental health issues. Rentstart got him somewhere to live, and he’s rebuilding his life again”
Andy urges the public to get involved in that “life changing process by donating or participating in events” and help seek positivity where it may be hard to find. It’s clear from speaking with him that he treasures the clients he meets and the transformation he gets to witness: “to help someone find that within themselves is what it’s all about”.
Working together - the role of Walton Charity
Through our grants, we help fund the vital work that charities like Rentstart do, working collaboratively to build an Elmbridge free from poverty and inequality. Housing is one of our four priority areas, and we work hard to make affordable housing available to those who need it.
Read Anna’s story
We do this by offering some of our properties to Rentstart’s clients, and we also have a small number of other social housing properties. You can read about how our social housing has made a huge difference to people like John.
We also offer independent living at our two almshouses for Elmbridge residents aged over 55. Residents pay a maintenance contribution rather than rent and live in self-contained flats with a range of social activities available. For some of our residents like Anna, they have made them feel at home for the first time.
Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming two families to our new affordable key-worker properties. These properties get us one step closer to enabling local people to live in decent homes they can afford.
Walton Charity’s policy and communications team keep a close eye on relevant developments, such as the Government’s reform of Right to Buy, legislation from the 1980’s that significantly changed the landscape of social housing in Britain. Improvements to this scheme could safeguard future social housing and reverse decades of underinvestment in this sector. We welcome the review and hope for a strong commitment to get affordable housing back on track.
Homelessness is not just about the absence of a roof; it’s the absence of security, self-belief, and hope. In our local area, individuals face the daily struggle of finding shelter, warmth, and a sense of belonging. It’s more important than ever to champion the work of Rentstart and work together to build an Elmbridge community free from poverty and inequality. Please consider getting involved in such a life changing process by donating or participating in events.
Interview by Amy Dixon, Walton Charity’s Communications and Events Officer
Published 24/01/25