Homelessness

Losing your home is a stressful experience. Most people manage to find somewhere else to live without help, but this is not always possible

Depending on your circumstances, if you are threatened with, or about to become homeless we may be able to help, but you should do everything you can to keep your home.

The Council's duties are under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII (Homelessness) as amended by The Homelessness Act 2002. This is the legislation the Council uses to make decisions about homelessness.

Are you finding yourself asking the following questions?

• I am homeless - what do I do?
• Who is eligible for assistance?
• What if I am an asylum seeker?
• What is priority need?
• What is meant by "Intentionally Homeless"?
• What is meant by local connection?
• What happens if you are not happy with the accommodation offered?
• What if you are not happy with the Council's decision?
• What happens if you are homeless but not in priority need?

For further information on the above questions click on the links below to download a copy of our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Booklet . This is a general guide to homelessness and how we deal with cases. It cannot be taken as a statement of law. Before you make any important decisions, please seek advice. You can also download a copy of our Homeless Strategy, an information booklet on Temporary Accommodation and a booklet giving information on how we allocate Council Housing.

It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement, or to knowingly withhold information relevant to your application. If you are convicted of doing that you can be fined.

• Homlessness Strategy 2008-11
• Homelessness Strategy 2008-11 Action Plan
• Homeless? Information Booklet
• Temporary Accommodation Information Booklet

For advice and further information contact the Housing Needs Section.

For independent advice and help contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter - Independent Housing Advice Organisation. You can go direct to their websites by clicking on the links below, otherwise please see their contact information further down.

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Shelter - Independent Housing Advice Organisation

Below are some more useful information websites.

• The Site - this part of the site offers advice to young people on housing issues such as renting, buying, homelessness, maintaining a tenancy, their rights as a tenant and even safety and hygiene issues. Or "Dealing with landlords, mice, and flatmates gone weird - your guide to keeping a roof over your head" as they say at the top of the page. It is a small part of a much lager site for young people giving advice on all sorts of issues including relationships, going out, working, sex and drugs & alcohol.
• Centrepoint - national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded homeless young people. It provides a range of accommodation based services, including emergency night shelters and short stay hostels, specialist projects for care leavers, ex-offenders, young single parents, foyers and supported flats and floating support services.
• Connexions Surrey - another site for young people between the ages of 13 to 19 and those with special needs up to 25. Offers advice on education, housing, sex, drugs, money, training and employment amongst other things.
• Women's Aid - national domestic violence information.
• Refuge - national domestic violence information.
• East Surrey Domestic Violence Forum Provides assistance and advice for victims of domestic violence in the East Surrey area.
• National Debtline- a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent.
• FamilyLine Surrey - a confidential telephone helpline for any member of a family that lives or works in Surrey - or even beyond.
• Relate - offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through this website.
• Homeless Link - the national membership body for organisations supporting homeless people and working to end homelessness across England and Wales. It provides a strong voice to influence government policy and public opinion and provides members with advice, guidance and training.
• HomelessUK - for advisors and the public and a leading source of information about services that help homeless people. You can find information on over 8,000 services across the UK, including hostels, advice and support services.