Homelessness
It is the responsibility of everyone to find their own accommodation, but if this is not possible you have a legal right to have help from us and accommodation if you are entitled.
Getting Help And Applying For Housing
If you're homeless you have a legal right to help from us and may be entitled to accommodation if you qualify. If you think that you may be in this position you should contact a Housing Adviser to arrange an appointment.
If you have nowhere to live and are in priority need or may be in priority need, a temporary home will be provided until all the details of your situation are checked. This may take time dependant on your circumstances and applicants should be prepared for a long wait.
Homeless persons are advised to contact the Housing and Community Services emergency telephone 0800 506050 - or the local police if they lose their home outside the normal office hours of 8.30am to 5.15pm
A Debt Counselling service is operated on a weekly basis and appointments can be made by telephoning 01202 633804. All relevant documents should be brought with you, such as any:
- notice to resign from a job
- tenancy agreement
- rent book/proof of rent payments
- court order
- letters and statements regarding mortgages
- details of all incomes including child benefit, childrens tax credit and working tax credit
- details of all outstanding debts
A detailed form will need to be completed by you and the answers will be checked.
The Council also want to make sure that only those who genuinely need help are given priority housing, because of the shortage of Council Homes.
Qualifying for Housing
To qualify for housing under this homeless procedure an applicant must satisfy all of five conditions.
- You must be homeless or about to become homeless
- You must be eligible for assistance
- You must be in priority need for accommodation
- You must not be intentionally homeless
- You must have a local connection
Once these conditions are met you will then be offered temporary accommodation for at least two years whilst your position is assessed on the Housing Register.
You Must Be Homeless Or About To Become Homeless
- You are homeless if you have no accommodation available to you anywhere in the world.
- You will be treated as homeless if you are losing your home through an eviction, repossession by a Building Society or Bank, or if you are living with friends or relatives and they want you to leave.
You may also be homeless if:
- you cannot get into your home
- you have been threatened with violence from someone in your home
- it is unreasonable for you to stay there
- you are forced to live apart from someone who would normally live with you
- or you have a caravan, mobile home or boat and there is nowhere to put it.
This is not an exhaustive list and there are many other reasons so it is important that you get advice.
You Must Be Eligible For Assistance
If you entered this country from abroad you may not be eligible for assistance if you are subject to immigration control under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. You will be asked about your status and you should seek advice.
You Must Be In Priority Need For Accommodation
You are a priority if:
- you (or your partner) are pregnant
- you have dependant children or
- you are aged 16 or 17
- you (or someone living with you) are vulnerable because of age, physical or mental disability or handicap.
- you are vulnerable because you have been in care, the services or prison
- you are fleeing violence or threats of violence or you are homeless because of an emergency like a fire or flood
The Housing Advice team will assess whether you are vulnerable and fall into one of the above priority need categories.
You Must Not Be Intentionally Homeless
If you lose accommodation, which is reasonable for you to occupy because you deliberately do something (such as giving up your job knowing your home goes with it) or fail to do something (like pay the rent) you may be treated as intentionally homeless.
You may also be treated as intentionally homeless if you fail to take up accommodation which is available for your occupation, or if you enter into an arrangement to take advantage of the homeless law.
If it is decided that you are intentionally homeless the Council has a duty to give you advice and assistance and may offer temporary accommodation to give you time to find your own home.
You Must Have A Local Connection
To have a local connection you must:
- live in the borough (or have lived in the area previously)
- have a job in the area
- have family in the area
The details are fairly complex and can be explained fully at your interview. If you do not have a local connection the Council will have no obligation to help you with housing but may refer you to another council who you have a connection with.
If you are homeless as a result of fleeing domestic violence, you do not need to have a local connection.
Asking For A Review
You will be notified in writing of any decision the Council makes on your homeless application. You may ask for a review on the folloiwng decisions:
- your eligibility for assistance
- what duty (if any) is owed to you
- a decision to notify another council that we are referring you to them
- whether the conditions are met for referral
- what duty is owed if you are referred
- the suitability of accommodation offered to you
What Happens Next - Temporary Homes
If you satisfy all five conditions, accommodation will be found for you and your family and you will be given this decision in writing.
There is a shortage of Council housing for a variety of reasons, and therefore, you will be offered temporary accommodation.
You will probably be given a room in a guest house, bed and breakfast hotel or family home. Most establishments will not be able to provide access to cooking and washing facilities or accommodate pets. You will be responsible for the payment of the bed and breakfast charges. If you cannot afford the full amount you may be entitled to claim Housing Benefit and you will be given a form to claim when you sign up for bed and breakfast.
After bed and breakfast you will be offered a different type of temporary home. You may be offered a place in a hostel (purpose built homes where facilities are shared) or leased property (self-contained homes generally available for occupation for two years) depending on the size of your family and what is available.
You will be required to sign an agreement for the properties you stay in and pay a weekly/monthly charge. If you cannot afford the full amount you should claim Housing Benefit (a form will be given to you when you sign the licence). Housing Benefit is only paid for the "housing" costs and you will have to pay for heating, lighting, water rates and food from your income.
Permanent Homes
You are not automatically entitled to a permanent home. Once accepted as homeless, you will be placed on the Council's Housing Register along with all the other applicants seeking Council and housing association homes. After 18 months, you will receive a priority card for be advised to bid for the available properties through Home Choice. It is hoped that you will be successful in a bid before two years has expired. if not, you will be allocated the next available suitable property
If Your Circumstances Change During Temporary Arrangements
Please note that our duty towards you ends if:
- you turn down an offer of suitable accommodation
- your circumstances change during this period and you cease to be eligible
- you become homeless intentionally from the accommodation provided
- you accept an offer of re-housing
- you otherwise cease to occupy the temporary home provided.
HOUSING ADVICE FREEPHONE - 0800 0929710
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