Homelessness

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If you know that you are likely to be without somewhere to live soon because:

• you have been asked to leave by family or friends
• are likely to be evicted by your landlord
• are likely to lose your house because of mortgage arrears
• any other reason

You should contact the council and request to speak to a homelessness officer to explain your case.  If necessary they will arrange an appointment for you.

How we assess your application

The information below is intended only as a guide to the Housing Act and to give information about how your application will be assessed.

There are five criteria outlined below that must be met in order for your application to be accepted and to be considered for alternative accommodation.

1. Are you eligible for our assistance?
   You are eligible for assistance if you are a British citizen or have an entitlement to public funds.
2. Are you homeless or likely to lose your rights to your home within 28 days?
   You are considered to be homeless or threatened with homelessness if:
   
   A person is said to be threatened with homelessness if they are likely to become homeless within 28 days.
3. Are you in priority need as defined by the law?
   You are said to be in priority need if:  
   
   • you have dependent children or an adult who depends on you and who normally lives with you;
   • you or someone you normally live with is pregnant;
   • you have become homeless as a result of fire, flood or other disaster;
   • you or someone you live with is disabled, suffering from a mental illness, or is vulnerable for some other special reason such as old age;
   • you are 16 or 17 years of age and are NOT the responsibility of social services for accommodation;
   • you are under 21 and at any time as a 16 or 17 year old were looked after, accommodated or fostered.
4. Are you intentionally homeless?
   You may be regarded as having made yourself intentionally homeless if it is discovered that you deliberately did, or failed to do something, which caused you to lose your home, such as not paying rent/mortgage although you had income to make the payments, or if you were evicted due to neighbour nuisance etc.
   If you are found to be intentionally homeless we may not have a duty towards you.
5. Do you have a local connection?
   
   • You must have lived in the area for at least 6 out of the last 12 months, or
   • be employed in the area for more than 16.5 hours per week, excluding the armed forces, or
   • have close relatives (such as mother, father or siblings) who are living in the area and have lived there for at least 5 years.

What if I don't have a local connection?

Your case may be referred to another council that you do have a local connection with.

So what happens next?

Once the advisory officer has completed their enquires they will inform the applicant in writing of their decision.

If accepted as homeless the applicant will usually be provided with temporary accommodation while waiting their turn on the housing register.

What if I disagree with the council's decision?

You have a right under section 202 of the 1996 Housing Act Part VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) to request a review of the council's decision. You will be advised of your right to review and how to go about requesting a review in any letters notifying you of the council's decision.

What if my application is unsuccessful?

Information and help in securing alternative accommodation will be given. This information is free of charge and will include details of the Rent Deposit Scheme and the Family Home Bond Scheme.

Useful documents that you may need to bring to an interview to support your case

• Proof of benefits
• ID
• Proof of children or pregnancy
• Eviction notice or notice of cessation
• Medical evidence
• Rent book
• National Insurance number
• Court orders
• Any other relevant documents that will support your case

Community 4 is a free, independent service that is designed to help people secure and to maintain accommodation, by providing low to mid levels of support for multiple needs around accommodation and housing matters. It is intended that Community 4 support will compliment other services and will NOT replace care packages provided by Health or Social Services.

Last updated: 18 February 2011