If you are threatened with homelessness, wherever we possibly can, the council will try and prevent you from becoming homeless.
However if we are unable to prevent your homelessness, in some cases we may provide you with temporary accommodation.
There are different types of temporary accommodation
- Interim accommodation (Sometimes called emergency accommodation)
- Temporary accommodation
- Refuge
Interim accommodation
We will provide this if we believe that you are homeless, eligible for help and you may have a priority for housing. Whilst you are in interim accommodation we will work with you to find you a suitable settled home.
Temporary accommodation
If we cannot find you a home and we decide that we can help you, we will then make you an offer of temporary accommodation
You may remain in the interim accommodation you were placed in if it is suitable or we may offer you an alternative.
Refuge
If you have experienced domestic abuse, then we may try and get you accommodation in a refuge, this will ensure that you are safe while we considers your homelessness.
Everyday our specially trained domestic abuse advisor is helping those experiencing or at risk of violence at home, find a safe place to live. Hear how we work with a range of local partnership organisations and the police, to help end the cycle of domestic abuse. To ensure the safety of our staff, and to protect those we support, our advisor is speaking anonymously.
Other information
In all cases we will assess you to try and provide you with accommodation that is suitable and we will consider;
- The size of the accommodation
- Any health needs of you or your household and how that may affect where you can live
- The cost of the accommodation and what you can afford
- The location of the accommodation
Whilst we always try and place applicants in the Borough, this may not always be possible. If you are placed out of borough then we will do everything that we can to help you with this and try and bring you back as soon as we possibly can.
It is also possible that you may have to share facilities with others.
What if I think the accommodation is not suitable?
Your case officer should complete a suitability assessment with you and try and offer you something which is suitable. However if you believe the accommodation is not suitable, you should always try and speak to your case officer to raise your concerns, we will try and work with you to address these.
If the council have decided that they have to help you with accommodation then you can request a review of the suitability of the accommodation you are in. You will be advised how to do this in your offer letter.
You can find advice on temporary accommodation we provide here