Rudy contacted Aspire's Housing Advice service whilst he was still an inpatient in Sheffield Spinal Injury Centre. Prior to sustaining his spinal cord injury Rudy was living in private rented accommodation with his wife and 16 year old son. The house was not adapted, and Rudy was concerned about what would happen when he was discharged from hospital. On top of this, Rudy was having issues with the landlord and did not want to return due to their behaviour. It was making things very difficult for him and his family. Rudy had made an application by post to his local authority’s housing register but had not heard anything and was unsure if the council had received his application.

Aspire’s Housing Advisor contacted the Homelessness team on Rudy’s behalf to support him to make a Homelessness application. Rudy found out later that day that a family member had sadly passed away and so he was discharged a couple of days early from hospital to fly back to the Caribbean for the funeral.

Once he had returned to the UK, Rudy returned to his previous property and the Aspire’s Advisor supported him with his housing register application which included providing further documentation and medical information. The council insisted that Rudy needed to be assessed by a community  occupational therapist but the wait for this was six months. Aspire stepped in to speak to the community occupational therapist to advise them about Rudy’s current living situation and how this was impacting him and his family. Unfortunately Rudy’s case wasn’t reprioritised, and Aspire’s Advisor chased the occupational therapist over the next couple of months. Eventually an occupational therapist visited the property to assess Rudy.

Shortly after this Rudy was awarded Band A priority for a two-bedroom bungalow. Despite some initial problems with his online account Rudy, placed bids on all two bed bungalows in the area and within less than a week was being considered for one of them. Rudy quickly arranged to view the property and accepted the tenancy.

Rudy also applied to Aspire Grants for help with carpeting the property. Rudy was awarded the grant, and this enabled him to buy carpet for the new place.

Rudy says,

Aspire has helped me a lot, their service was just brilliant. Any time I spoke to them they were always willing to help and listen. There are a lot of people that need their help and I hope they can continue their good work. I’m very happy in my new home. We’ve done a lot of decorating and now it’s all sorted it’s just perfect.

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