Homelessness Advice

By law (The Housing Act 1996) homelessness means 

You have no place to stay. This means you:

• Have nowhere to put your caravan, boat or vehicle legally.
• You could be street homeless.
  • But you don't have to be living on the street to be homeless.
• You have no right to stay in the accommodation.
  • You could be squatting.
  • 'Sofa surfing' at friends'/families' homes.
  • You have no official agreement.
• You are experiencing domestic violence
  • Or are being threatened with violence.
• Cannot get into your own home.
• Not suitable for you to live in your accommodation.
  • It could be overcrowded or have dangerous damp and mould.

Threatened with homelessness means that you are likely to become homeless within 56 days.

Here are some reasons you might become homeless:

• You have received an eviction:
• A Section 21 eviction.
  • A landlord can ask you to leave without a reason. 
  • This gives you 56 days to leave.
• A Section 8 eviction.
  • The landlord evicts you for a specific reason.
  • You might have stopped paying rent or damaged the property.
  • You might have to leave between 2 weeks and 2 months.
  • This would depend on the reason you are being asked to leave.
• You have been told that you will no longer be able to stay somewhere:
  • Your parent, relative or friend might say you have to leave.

If you're homeless:

• Tell your local council.
• Their homelessness team will be able to advise and support you.
• Make a homeless application:
  • Ring the homelessness department at the council.
  • Or complete an application on their website.
• Ring the 24 hour council emergency homelessness number if out of hours.
• If you're street homeless you can let StreetLink know your location.
  • They have an outreach service that can help offer you some support.

If you will become homeless

• Speak with your landlord:
  • Ask if there is anything you can do to stay.
  • Ask for more time.
• If you cannot afford rent increases and have been evicted:
  • You could apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
  • This might help to cover the costs of increased rent.
  • You could also see if you're eligible for the housing element of Universal Credit.
• Tell your local council if:
  • You have received an eviction notice.
  • Or you are at risk of losing your home.
  • They will able to advise and help you.
• Look for different and cheaper accommodation,
  • Either through the council or privately.

Once you have made a homeless application:

• The council will assess your homelessness.
• They should offer you emergency accommodation while they do this.
• They will do if you are:
  • Legally homeless.
  • Meet immigration conditions.
  • And have a priority need.
• They will also see if you have a local connection:
  • Meaning you have lived in the council area for at least 6 months of the last 12.
  • If you fleeing from domestic violence or abuse you will not need a local connection.

Emergency accommodation

• Is short term whilst the council assesses your situation.
• It can often be hostels or hotel rooms.
• If you are pregnant or have children:
  • You should not be put into hostels or hotels.
  • Or somewhere with no cooking facility.
  • Unless there is nowhere else for the council to move you.
• You should only stay in hotel/hostels for a maximum of 6 weeks.

Temporary accommodation

• You might then be offered temporary accommodation.
• This is somewhere to stay while the council looks for a permanent home.
• This can take some time.
• For families with children, this will usually be self-contained:
  • Meaning you will not have to share a bathroom or kitchen with others.

Help if you are likely to become homeless

• Once you have told the council they will see what they can do.
• If you are being evicted:
  • They may offer to request your landlord for more time.
  • Help you apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.
• They may have a prevention duty if it is likely you will become homeless.
• A homeless prevention officer (HPO) will tell else you can find housing: 
  • You could apply to the housing register.
  • Find privately rented accommodation.
  • Make a homeless application for emergency/temporary accommodation.

Priority need

• Emergency accommodation is usually provided by the council to those with priority need.
• This means that at least one of the following applies to you:
  • Pregnant or have a dependent chid.
  • Victim of domestic abuse.
  • 16 or 17 and cannot live at home.
  • Under 21 and were in care after you turned 16.
  • Have a physical or mental health condition which makes you vulnerable.

Intentional homelessness

• This means that your homelessness was caused by something you deliberately did or did not do like:
  • Not paying rent even when you could have afforded it.
  • Not claim benefits to help with rent.
  • Committing antisocial behaviour.
  • Giving up suitable accommodation.
  • Being evicted for a fault caused.
  • Reject a suitable housing offer including:
    • Emergency temporary or permanent accommodation offered by the council.
• If intentionally homeless the council may drop their duty to house you altogether.
  • You can appeal their decision.
  • The council may also help you to find housing that isn't council housing.

Suitability review

• You can apply for a suitability review within 3 weeks of the offer if:
  • The property is unsafe e.g. mould and damp or structural damage.
  • It is inappropriate for your mental and physical health:
    • An above ground floor property when you have disabilities that affect your mobility.
  • Is too expensive.
  • Too far away from place of work, school or places for regular appointments, where specialist care is received.
• It is recommended that you apply for a suitability review after you accept a housing offer.
  • That way you avoid being made intentionally homeless.