Homelessness and rough sleeping

Assessing homelessness applications

There are many situations where we may have a legal duty to help you. If one or more of these apply, you may be eligible for support:

• you are at risk of violence or abuse where you are living. This can be from a partner, ex-partner or family member, or someone in your area. The council may ask you to provide details of the incidents. Evidence is helpful but the council will not turn you away if you haven’t reported to police.
• you don't have 'a roof over your head' ie you are street homeless
• you are at risk of losing your home
• you cannot afford to stay where you are
• your accommodation is very temporary
• you are staying with friends or 'sofa surfing'
• you have been locked out or illegally evicted
• your accommodation is in very poor condition
• you cannot live together with your partner or close family
• you have nowhere to put your houseboat or caravan

Support

We'll let you know what support is available to help you to stay in your current accommodation. If that isn't an option, we will work together on a personalised housing plan to explore all other options, with a focus on privately rented housing.

Temporary accommodation

Following your interview, we will make a decision on whether you will be provided with temporary accommodation today (if already homeless) or in the future (if you are due to become homeless).

If we believe you are eligible, homeless and in priority need, you will be offered temporary accommodation. You may need to pay for this or claim benefits to cover the cost.

If we do not believe you are in priority need, temporary accommodation will not be offered, and details of local services will be provided.

The type of accommodation offered depends on the availability of accommodation in the area at the time. It could be a room in a hotel or B&B but where possible we will try and move you to self-contained accommodation as soon as something becomes available. Accommodation may also be provided outside of the area where you approached as homeless if nothing suitable is available locally. Your Housing Options officer will discuss the options available with you.

If you refuse an offer of temporary accommodation, you may not be offered an alternative therefore we recommend that you accept any offer of accommodation. If you believe it is unsuitable, you can request a review of its suitability even after you have moved in.

Our Temporary Accommodation policy sets out how we will meet our statutory duties and exercise our powers in relation to the provision (and withdrawal of) of suitable temporary accommodation for homeless households. This includes when temporary accommodation will be provided, and how different types of temporary accommodation will be allocated and prioritised.

Last updated 01 April 2025