Are you homeless?

You don't have to be sleeping on the streets or not have a roof over your head to be thought of as homeless. Most people who are legally homeless are not on the streets. The Council has a duty to work with you to try and prevent or relieve your homelessness. 

Circumstances when this may happen include:  

• You are at risk of violence or abuse where you are living. This can be from a partner, ex-partner or family member, or someone in your area. The council may ask you to provide details of the incidents. Evidence is helpful but the council will not turn you away if you haven’t reported to police;
• You don't have 'a roof over your head' i.e. you are street homeless;
• You are at risk of losing your home;
• You can't afford to stay where you are;
• You are staying with friends or 'sofa surfing';
• You have been locked out or illegally evicted;
• Your accommodation is in very poor condition;
• You can't live together with your partner or close family; and
• You have nowhere to put a mobile home, such as a caravan.

If one or more of these apply, you may be eligible for help from the council.

• You must normally live in the UK long-term and not be subject to immigration control;
• You must be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days;
• You must not have made yourself homeless on purpose; and
• You have a local connection with the borough. However, there may be exceptions to this.  

If you meet these criteria, you can contact the Council. An appointment will be made for you to see a Housing Options Officer. If you have nowhere to stay on the night you contact the Council you will be seen that day. You are welcome to bring a support worker or friend with you to the interview.

Please remember to bring the documents and information that you would have been asked to bring with you.  If you do not it may delay the process of being able to help you.

Working with the Housing Options Officer a Personal Housing Plan will be developed.  This will identify what we, as a Council need to do and what you need to do to try and resolve your current housing issues.  You will receive a copy of this Plan.  Your named Housing Options Officer will be in regular contact with you to review the Plan to ensure that the actions are being kept to and everything possible is happening to try and prevent you from becoming homelessness.

If it is not possible to prevent homelessness or relieve homelessness within the timescales then an application will be taken under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

If the Council takes an application from you under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 and confirms that it has a statutory duty to help you and has provided you with temporary accommodation, then you will be able to stay there until you move to a permanent home.

If the Council takes an application from you under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 and confirms that there is no statutory duty to help you and you have been provided with temporary accommodation you will be given a date to leave this by.

If you are not happy with the decision then you can challenge it.

If you think the Council’s decision is wrong you can contact an independent local advice centre such as Citizens Advice Bureau for advice and guidance.

In some cases we may be able to provide temporary emergency accommodation. This service is provided following an initial assessment and is only available to those households who we may have a statutory priority duty towards. This accommodation may only be provided for the duration of your homeless application.

If you are not eligible for housing from the council, you may still be able to access help from other services such as Social Services if you have children or additional needs.

You can get further advice from:

Shelter
Tel: 0808 800 4444

Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel 0344 245 1288