Practical Housing Units (PHUs) is a comprehensive training package which focuses on the basic skills, knowledge and understanding underpinning a person’s ability to sustain a tenancy and develop a healthy lifestyle. For many people who have been homeless, been in prison or lived a life in care, getting a place to live – and keeping it – can be a big problem.


Practical Housing Units (PHUs) consists of ten modules, accredited by AQA, that are highly practical, straightforward and applicable to a wide range of abilities, situations and locations:

• maintaining a tenancy
• safety and risk management in the home
• budgeting and debt management
• managing utility accounts
• managing receipt of social benefits
• maintaining a healthy diet
• planning for education, training and employment
• developing community knowledge
• finding accommodation
• exploring resettlement issues

For example, if budgeting is discussed, it is the individual’s own budget. This is the uniqueness of the programme, the contents are real to life and can be tailored to meet the individual’s precise needs.

Amber has opened up the possibility for every agency, organisation and charity working with people either in or trying to find accommodation, to benefit from Practical Housing Units (PHUs). They are already being used by prisons, Housing Societies, charities for the homeless and many other large and small organisations.

We provide a complete package of staff training and programme supervision, student learning materials/ resources and registration, verification and certification of achieved units.

If you would like further information on Practical Housing Units (PHUs) and you are based in Devon, Dorset or Cornwall, please contact Arran O’Rourke on or 07825410570. If you are enquiring from anywhere else in the UK please contact Katie Fairfax-Ross on or 07825410480.

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