Homelessness - Richmondshire District Council

A Guide for People who may become Homeless

Local Councils have a duty to help someone if they become or are in imminent danger of becoming homeless. However not everyone will receive the same help or assistance as this will depend on their particular circumstances.

Everyone's case is looked at confidentially and will be assessed on its own merits, having regard to the law.

1. WHERE TO GO

If at any time, you think you might be made homeless you should get in touch with us:

HOUSING UNIT

FRENCHGATE HOUSE

FRENCHGATE

RICHMOND

DL10 7AF

TEL: 01748 829100

• If you are a Council tenant and you are having problems paying your rent, contact your Area Housing Officer.

• If you are a home owner and you are behind with your payments,contact the Housing Unit. We may be able to stop you losing your home.

• If you live in private rented accommodation and you are behind with your payments or are experiencing harassment from your landlord,contact the Housing Unit to discuss your problem with a Housing Officer.

• Out of hours Emergency Services

Telephone: 01653 690738

2. HOMELESS GUIDANCE

The Law says you are homeless if:

• You have nowhere to live in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

• You have been taken to court by your landlord or mortgage lender

and the court has said you must leave.

• You are afraid to go home because someone has been or may be

violent to you or your family.

• You do not have the owners permission to stay, for example, you are

a squatter.

• You have been locked out of your home and told not to come back.

• You have a mobile home and there is nowhere you are allowed to put it.

• There may be other reasons why it is not reasonable to stay in your home. For more advice contact the Housing Unit.

Eligibility

• If you do not usually live in this country you will not be eligible for help.

• If you are subject to immigration control you will not be eligible for help.

• If you are an Asylum Seeker you will not be eligible for help if you have anywhere else to stay.

• A Housing Officer would give advice.

If you are homeless and -

• You are in priority need

• You have not become homeless intentionally

• You have a local connection with the district

The Council has a duty to find you permanent housing.

What is priority need?

The following cases are examples of priority need:

• A pregnant woman or a person with whom she resides or might reasonably be expected to reside.

• A person with whom dependent children reside or might be reasonably expected to reside.

• A person who is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or some other special reason, or with whom such a person resides or might reasonably be expected to reside.

• A person who is homeless, or threatened with homelessness, as a

result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster.

• A person aged 16-17 (not careleaver) who has no secure

accommodation.

• A person under 21 who was 'looked after' between the ages of 16 and 18.

• A person aged 21 or over who is vulnerable as a result of having been 'looked after'.

• A person who is vulnerable as a result of having been a member of HM regular forces.

• A person who is vulnerable as a result of having served a custodial sentence.

• A person who is vulnerable as a result of leaving accommodation due to violence from another person.

What is intentional homelessness?

This means that we believe that you chose to give up a home which you could have stayed in or you deliberately did or failed to do something which you knew would result in the loss of your home. Consequently the Council does not have a duty to provide permanent housing.

The Council would still have a duty to offer advice and assistance and temporary accommodation for a short period of time.

Intentionally homeless can include:

• Choosing to sell your home where there was no risk of losing it, or losing your home because of wilful and persistent refusal to pay rent or mortgage payments.

• Voluntarily giving up accommodation when it would have been reasonable for you to remain.

• Being evicted because of anti-social behaviour.

• Having voluntarily resigned from a job with tied accommodation where the circumstances indicated it would have been reasonable to continue in the employment.

• Unreasonably failing to take up accommodation that was available to you.

What is a local connection?

• Living or have lived in Richmondshire at some time in the past and that residence in the area was of your own choice.

• Having a permanent job in Richmondshire.

• Having a close relative who has lived in Richmondshire for some time (usually 5 years).

• Needing to live in Richmondshire due to special circumstances

If you or any member of your family do not have a local connection with Richmondshire but have a local connection with another area, and you would not run the risk of domestic violence in that area, the council may transfer the duty for finding a home to the council for that area.

Temporary Accommodation

Whilst an investigation is being carried out temporary accommodation will be provided for you and your family if necessary. This can be at the Council's Homeless Persons' Unit, at a Womens' Refuge or in a bed and breakfast establishment. Young people may be housed with the

YMCA.

3. THE DECISION

After we have considered everything you have told us we will make a decision about your homeless application and inform you of our decision in writing. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a review of the decision taken. If you wish to request a review of the decision you will be able to get independent advice from HARP or CAB

A review request must be made in writing within 21 days to:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

FRENCHGATE HOUSE

FRENCHGATE

RICHMOND DL10 7AF

If you are not happy with the decision of the Review you can appeal to the County Court. You can also complain to the Local Government Ombudsman if you feel that you have been treated unfairly by the Council.

4. WHAT HELP CAN THE COUNCIL GIVE?

Advice and Assistance:

Even if the Council does not accept that it has a duty to provide accommodation, we will try to give appropriate help and advice so that you can arrange your own accommodation. Ask a Housing Officer for advice on Welfare Benefits, Benefits for Training and Housing Benefit.

Permanent Housing:

We will make you an offer of permanent housing if your homeless application is successful. This may not be council housing. For example, we are in regular contact with local housing associations whocan also make accommodation available to homeless people.

5. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY ACCOMMODATION?

Whether you are in permanent or temporary accommodation, if you are unemployed, in receipt of benefit or on a low income you may qualify for assistance through Housing Benefit. A Housing Benefit Officer will assist you to complete a Housing Benefit Application Form, and you will need to provide proof of all your income and the rent you are being charged. If you are successful in your Housing Benefit claim, the benefit you receive will only cover your basic rent. If you are in temporary accommodation any other facilities, for example breakfast, heating or lighting, must be paid for by yourself. We will tell you how this should be paid when you make your claim. Failure to make the necessary payment will result in the Council taking action to terminate any support for the occupation of your accommodation and you may be asked to leave.

If you are in receipt of any benefit issued by the Benefits Agency you must inform them of your change of address.

6. WHAT IF THE COUNCIL CANNOT HELP WITH ACCOMMODATION?

Even if we cannot offer you permanent or temporary accommodation Housing Officers in the Housing Unit will advise and assist you in your search for alternative accommodation. Ask for information on Housing

Associations and private landlords.

7. HOUSING UNIT OPENING HOURS

Monday - Thursday - 8.45am to 5.15pm

Friday - 8.45am to 4.45pm

Telephone 01748 829100

Out of hours Emergency telephone 01653 690738

8. WHO ELSE CAN HELP?

SOCIAL SERVICES Tel: 0845 0349496

Customer Relations Unit

The Old School

East Road

Northallerton