Homelessness
You might not have a choice about when you leave, you may have been asked to leave your present home and have nowhere to go.
If you are homeless or likely to become homeless in the next 28 days, go to the Homeless Section of your local Council.
You can find details of local councils by clicking here.
They will be able to give you advice and will help you fill in a homeless application form. They may be able to help you keep your home, but even if you do become homeless, the sooner you contact them the better.
Once they have taken your details they will decide:
If you are eligible for help
- Whether you are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- are pregnant or have a dependant child
- have a physical disability, mental health or learning disability
- are a victim of domestic violence
- are a victim of fire, flood or other such emergency
- are chronically ill
- are 16 or 17 years old
- are a person who used to be in the care of the local authority
- are a person who used to be in the armed forces
- have either been in prison, remanded in custody or committed for contempt of court
- fleeing violence or threats of violence
If you are found to be in priority need you will be offered temporary accommodation until long term accommodation can be found.
You may also be offered the advice of a mediation worker. The worker can mediate on your behalf to see if you can go back to live with your parents or carers.
What if you are a Care Leaver
It is often especially difficult for young people leaving care to find somewhere to live. If you have been looked after by an authority you can get help if you have spent a total of at least 13 weeks in care since the age of 14. The 13 weeks doesn't have to be all in one go. Any time that you have spent being looked after by a charity, the local council, a health authority, children's home or with foster parents counts.
If you are leaving care, Social Services have a legal duty to help you find somewhere to live. As part of your leaving care package, Social Services will give you a personal adviser. It is her/his job to help you prepare to live independently.
If you left care and are still under 18, Social Services is still responsible for supporting you financially. This means that they have to ensure that you have enough money for the things you need, including rent and food. You probably won't be able to get accommodation from the housing department or claim benefits until you turn 18. So unless you have a well-paid job, the social services department is likely to be your only source of income.
Short Term Housing Solutions
If you find yourself homeless and need somewhere to stay quickly.
You can find addresses of Nightstop, bed and breakfast and hostels in your area by clicking on one of the following:
Fleeing Domestic Abuse
If you are fleeing abuse you can obtain help from:
You can also find help from the following agencies:
- Childline: 0800 1111
- Family Help and Refuge: 01325 364486
- National women's Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Victim Support: 0800 8496789
- Police non-emergency: 0845 6060 247
- Male Advice Line: 0845 064 6800