Homelessness support services help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find accommodation, access support, and rebuild their lives. These services are crucial for preventing and ending homelessness.
What is Homelessness Support?
Homelessness support includes a range of services designed to:
- Prevent Homelessness: Help people at risk of losing their home
- Provide Emergency Accommodation: Temporary housing for people who are homeless
- Support Recovery: Help people rebuild their lives and move to permanent housing
- Access Services: Help accessing benefits, healthcare, and other services
Types of Homelessness Support
Emergency Accommodation
- Night shelters and hostels
- Temporary accommodation
- Emergency housing
- Crisis accommodation
Support Services
- Housing advice and advocacy
- Benefits and financial support
- Mental health support
- Substance misuse support
- Employment and training
- Life skills support
Prevention Services
- Mediation and negotiation
- Financial support and advice
- Legal advice and representation
- Support to maintain tenancies
Who Can Access Homelessness Support?
Homelessness support is available for:
- People Who Are Homeless: Currently without accommodation
- People at Risk: At risk of becoming homeless
- Rough Sleepers: People sleeping on the streets
- Hidden Homeless: People in temporary or unsuitable accommodation
- People Fleeing Violence: Those escaping domestic abuse
How to Access Homelessness Support
Contact Your Local Authority
- Make a Homelessness Application: Contact your local council
- Assessment: Council will assess if you're homeless or at risk
- Duty to Help: Council has a duty to help eligible people
- Accommodation: May provide temporary or permanent accommodation
- Support: Access to support services
Emergency Situations
- Out of Hours Services: Contact emergency services or out-of-hours housing teams
- Shelters and Hostels: Direct access to emergency accommodation
- Street Outreach Teams: Support for rough sleepers
- Crisis Services: 24/7 support in emergencies
Your Rights
Right to Assessment
- Local authority must assess if you're homeless
- Assessment should be thorough and consider all circumstances
- Right to be involved in the assessment process
- Right to receive written decision
Right to Accommodation
- Eligible people have right to temporary accommodation
- May have right to permanent accommodation
- Accommodation should be suitable for your needs
- Right to challenge decisions
Right to Support
- Right to support services
- Right to advocacy and representation
- Right to be involved in support planning
- Right to complain if not satisfied
Preventing Homelessness
Early Intervention
- Seek help as soon as you're at risk
- Contact your local authority
- Access advice and support services
- Explore all options before losing accommodation
Support Available
- Mediation with landlords
- Financial support and advice
- Legal advice and representation
- Support to maintain tenancies
- Help accessing benefits
Moving On from Homelessness
Support to Move On
- Help finding permanent accommodation
- Support with tenancy management
- Financial support and budgeting
- Ongoing support services
- Help accessing employment and training
Long-term Support
- Floating support services
- Regular check-ins and reviews
- Access to community services
- Support to maintain independence
Browse Homelessness Support Providers
Find homelessness support services in your area. These services can help prevent homelessness, provide emergency accommodation, and support recovery.
Image Gallery
External Resources
Support Organisations
Shelter
Leading homelessness charity providing advice and support
https://england.shelter.org.uk
Crisis
National charity for homeless people
https://www.crisis.org.uk
Citizens Advice - Homelessness
Free advice on homelessness and housing rights
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/homelessness/
StreetLink
Service to connect rough sleepers with local support
https://www.streetlink.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What help is available if I'm homeless?
Contact your local authority immediately. They have a duty to assess if you're homeless and provide help, which may include temporary accommodation, support services, and help finding permanent housing.
What should I do if I'm at risk of becoming homeless?
Contact your local authority as soon as possible. They can help prevent homelessness through mediation, financial support, legal advice, and other interventions.
Does the council have to help me if I'm homeless?
Local authorities have a duty to assess if you're homeless and provide help to eligible people. This may include temporary accommodation and support to find permanent housing.
What is temporary accommodation?
Temporary accommodation is housing provided by the local authority while they help you find permanent accommodation. It may be a hostel, B&B, or self-contained flat.
How long can I stay in temporary accommodation?
You can stay in temporary accommodation while the local authority helps you find permanent housing. There's no fixed time limit, but they should work to find you permanent accommodation as soon as possible.
What support is available for rough sleepers?
Support includes street outreach teams, emergency accommodation, access to healthcare and support services, and help moving into permanent accommodation.
Can I get help if I'm not eligible for local authority help?
Yes, there are charities and voluntary organisations that provide support regardless of eligibility. These include shelters, day centres, and support services.
What is the difference between statutory and non-statutory homelessness?
Statutory homelessness means the local authority has a legal duty to help you. Non-statutory homelessness means you're homeless but don't meet the criteria for statutory help, but support may still be available.
Can I get help if I'm intentionally homeless?
If you're found to be intentionally homeless, the local authority's duty is reduced, but they may still provide temporary accommodation and advice. Support services are still available.
What support is available to prevent homelessness?
Support includes mediation with landlords, financial support and advice, legal advice, help accessing benefits, and support to maintain tenancies.