If you are homeless now, or in danger of losing your accommodation, you should contact the housing options team on 01900 702660 or by email or through their referral portal.
For more information about how the housing options team can help, go to the homelessness and homelessness prevention page.
You don't have to be sleeping on the streets or not have a roof over your head to be considered homeless. Most people who are homeless are not on the streets. There are many situations where the council must accept you are homeless, and may have a duty to help you with housing.
Examples of being homeless or being threatened with homelessness are:
- you don't have 'a roof over your head' for example, you are street homeless
- you are experiencing, or are at risk of violence or abuse where you are living
- you're at risk of losing your home
- you can't afford to stay where you are
- your landlord has asked you to leave
- you are not getting on with the people you live with
- your accommodation is very temporary
- you are staying with your friends or 'sofa surfing'
- you've been locked out or illegally evicted
- your accommodation is not suitable because it is too small or in very poor condition
- your accommodation is not suitable because of a medical condition or disability
- you can't live together with your partner or close family
- you have nowhere to put your houseboat or caravan
- you are having problems managing your tenancy or accommodation
If one or more of these apply, you may be eligible for help from the council.
Who we can help
We can help you if you:
- normally live in the UK long-term and are not subject to immigration control
- must be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days
If you meet these criteria, you can make a homeless application. This means that you are telling the council you are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need their help. The council will make an appointment for you to be interviewed by a housing officer. This should be the same day if you have nowhere to stay that night. You can bring a support worker or friend with you in to the interview.
At the interview
You need to take the right documents to your interview. The process will be quicker if you bring your ID and notice of eviction or a letter from the person you have been staying with.
If the council says it can help you
If the council accepts that it has a duty to continue housing you when you become homeless, you'll probably have to stay in temporary accommodation until they find you somewhere more long-term or 'settled'.
If the council says it cannot help you
You can challenge the council's decision.
If you think the council's decision is wrong, contact an independent local advice centre like Citizens Advice Bureau as soon as you can.