Homelessness
Under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, the Council has certain
responsibilities towards people who might be homeless. It is
important to note that the homeless procedure is governed by
housing law.
The Council has produced a Homelessness
Strategy which identifies a number of key action themes
aimed to address the need for more accommodation and support for
homeless households, and also to address some of the underlying
issues which might also impact on this.
Are you homeless?
Do you have suitable alternative accommodation available? You
are homeless if there is no accommodation available to you that is
suitable for your needs and that of your household. This means that
there must be no alternative accommodation available to you
anywhere in the world, not just this vicinity.
Also the Council will consider if you have the means to secure
alternative accommodation, for example in the private sector.
If you are able to do this the Council's duty will be limited to
providing advice only.
If you are found not to be homeless or threatened with homelessness
you will be advised of the reasons for this decision in
writing.
Are you eligible for assistance?
Some applicants who are subject to immigration control, or who
have been living outside the UK, may not be eligible for assistance
even if they have nowhere to live. If you are not eligible, you
will be given advice about other help that may be available to you,
such as asking Children, Schools and Families to consider you under
other legislation.
Are you in priority need?
Temporary accommodation will only be provided for those people
found to be in priority need.
You are in a priority need category if:
- you have dependent children who live with you
- you are pregnant
- you are homeless because of a fire, flood or some other similar
disaster.
- you are vulnerable due to age, mental illness, physical
disability or some other special reason. In this category the
Council considers whether issues of vulnerability or health
prevent you from securing or retaining alternative accommodation or
if you would be less able to cope than another person if you were
homeless
If you are not in a priority need category, the Council's duty
to you will be limited to providing advice and assistance in order
to help you secure alternative accommodation.
Why you have become homeless?
In all cases the Council will investigate the reasons why you
are homeless.
These investigations will help the Council decide what duty, if
any, it has to you and your family regarding temporary
accommodation.
If you are found to be homeless due to a deliberate act or
omission, you may be found intentionally homeless. This will mean
that the Council will not accept a full housing duty to you.
Instead, temporary accommodation is provided for a limited period
(usually 28 days) to give you time to find an alternative place to
stay. Examples of people being found intentionally homeless
are:
- you have lost your accommodation through non-payment of rent
when you have sufficient funds and the ability to pay
- you have asked your landlord to serve notice
- you have been given advice about securing alternative
accommodation, but have failed to do so
Do you have a local connection?
The Council will also need to find out if you have a local
connection with this Borough.
You will have a local connection if:
- you have lived in this Borough for six of the last
twelve months or three out of the last five years
- you have a permanent job in the Borough
- you have a close relative (parent, sister, brother or adult
child) who has lived in the Borough for the last five years
- there is a special reason
If you do not have a local connection with this Borough, you may
be referred to another Local Authority where you do have a local
connection
What assistance will I receive if I am homeless through no
fault of my own?
If the Council decides that you are homeless through no fault of
your own, and you meet all the criteria, this Council will accept a
full housing duty to you. This means the Council will provide
temporary accommodation. You will receive notification in writing
of the Council's duty. This written decision will also include full
details of the reasons why such a duty may cease in the future.
Temporary accommodation
It is important to note that temporary accommodation is likely
to take the form of hostel accommodation. This is normally a
Council run property where a family have their own room, but are
required to share kitchen and bathroom facilities with other
residents.
However if there is no hostel space available, the Council may have
to place you in bed and breakfast accommodation until such time as
a space in a hostel becomes available. The Council cannot guarantee
that the bed and breakfast accommodation provided will be within
the Borough.
Your right to a review
Under the Housing Act you have the right to a formal review of
some of the decisions made regarding your homeless application. A
request for a review is only valid if made within 28 days of the
decision being given. If you require further information about the
review process you should ask your housing needs officer.
Contacting the Housing Needs department
Please visit the Housing Needs page
to find out how to contact Housing Needs for housing advice or help
if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness.