Homelessness and Housing

What you can do if you are at risk of becoming homeless, or if you have already become homeless, or if you need help to find emergency accommodation or support, please visit our information on Housing Support. Here you will also find information on leaving hospital, prison and how we can help with landlord issues.;

How we can help

The legislation around homelessness has changed with the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA 2017).

This will place more emphasis on the assistance each council in England can offer people who have experienced, or are about to experience, homelessness. This will result in more people receiving help.

Our Housing Solution Service can help you in the following ways:

• we can assess your current housing situation and work out what your needs are
• if you are worried that you might become homeless, we can give you advice on the next steps. This service can help you if you have a physical or mental illness, if you are ex-armed forces and homeless, a care leaver and homeless, or if you have been released from prison and have nowhere to live. Supported housing may be an option for you in these circumstances
• we can help you make a housing plan so you can work towards the next steps to find a permanent home

If you are experiencing financial difficulty our team might be able to help you in these ways:

• with a one-off payment to assist with housing costs
• with rent arrears to stop you being evicted by your landlord
• if you have issues because of benefit changes such as Universal Credit, the Bedroom Tax, Benefit Cap or Local Housing allowance
• with budgeting and managing your money at home
• with employment problems and job seeking
• with getting a smaller, more financially manageable home

Please contact the Housing Solutions Team or call 01702 215002.

Further information can be found on Housing policies and strategies.