Homelessness - How to apply
You can make a homeless application in person, by telephone or in writing. It is best however if you can come to see a Homeless Officer in person. A Homelessness Officer will assess your housing needs. Every case is individual and you will be offered advice and assistance based on your individual circumstances.
You will be provided with emergency accommodation if you are considered by the Council to be homeless, eligible for assistance, and in "priority need". (See below for explanation of priority need). This accommodation is usually a room or rooms in Stoak Lodge, an unsecure tenancy within the Council stock, housing within the private sector or bed and breakfast accommodation.
Legal Definition of Homelessness
You are considered to be homeless or threatened with homelessness if you do not have accommodation that you have a legal right to occupy. This should be accessible and physically available to you and your household. It should be reasonable for you to continue living there.
This would not be the case if for example, you were in fear of violence if you stayed in the property or if due to fire, flood or some other reason the property was unfit for your habitation.
Priority or non-priority?
Under the homeless legislation the following are considered to be in priority need:
If you do not come under any of the above categories and are found to be "non-priority", the Council will offer you advice and assistance, in an attempt to help you to find suitable accommodation.
What happens next?
When your Homelessness Officer has all the information required to make a decision on you homeless application, you will be notified in writing of the decision and the reasons for that decision. The Council is obliged to offer temporary accommodation if it is satisfied that you:
You will be contacted as soon as an offer of suitable settled accommodation is available through the Council's Home seekers' List. (A separate leaflet is available explaining the Council's allocation policy).
Intentionally Homeless
The Council may consider that you are intentionally homeless if you have lost your accommodation as a result of your own actions i.e. through a deliberate act or omission.
An example of this would be if you left your previous accommodation even though it would have been reasonable for you to stay. It would be the Authority's responsibility to prove that you had made yourself intentionally homeless. If this is found to be the case and you are considered to be intentionally homeless you would be offered advice and assistance to help you secure your own accommodation.
Temporary accommodation may be provided for a short period of time (usually 28 days) if this is appropriate.
Right to Review
If you are unhappy with the way in which your homeless application has been dealt with and/or the decision reached, you have 21 days from being notified to request a review. A review request form is available at the Council Offices, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port.
