What do I do if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness?

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1 What do I do if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness? You can find all the 'your housing options' leaflets at or contact Housing Options for a copy.

2 What do I do if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness? If you are at risk of losing your home, you must get help straight away. Early action can prevent you from becoming homeless. Our Housing Options Service can advise you on the best course of action, and help you to stay in your current home or find new accommodation. Am I eligible for help? Most people are eligible for help but you probably will not be if you: are an asylum seeker; are from abroad and have limits to your right to remain (stay) in the UK; are not entitled to public funds, such as benefits; do not normally live in the UK for tax purposes; or are living in the UK illegally. We only have a duty to house you if you are: homeless or threatened with homelessness; in priority need; unintentionally homeless (you have not made yourself homeless deliberately); and considered to have a local connection to Dacorum or to have special circumstances. What is priority need? We will only consider you to be in priority need if you or someone who normally lives with you: is pregnant; has dependent children (aged under 16, or aged17 to 19 and in full-time education) who normally live with you; 2

3 is aged 16 or 17, not living with a parent or guardian, and are not already being assisted by social services; is under 21 and was previously in care; is vulnerable because of old age, disability, learning difficulties, having left prison or the armed forces or has mental-health issues; or is at risk of domestic violence or other violence. If you are not in priority need, we can still provide you with housing advice, or refer you to other housing organisations and support services. How do I know if I have made myself intentionally homeless? You may be seen as intentionally homeless if you or a member of your household: deliberately entered into an arrangement with the person you were living with or your landlord which resulted in you losing your home; took part in any form of antisocial behaviour; or failed to pay your rent, when you could afford to do so. What is a local connection? To have a local connection you, or someone who normally lives with you, must: have either lived in the borough for at least six out of the last 12 months, or at least three years out of the last five years; have a permanent job in the borough and work 16 hours or more a week; or have a close relative who has lived in the borough for the last five years (close relatives include parents, children, brothers or sisters). We may accept other exceptional circumstances as meeting the conditions for a local connection. 3

4 What information will I need to provide? If you approach us for housing advice, we will ask you to meet with one of our officers. They will ask you a number of questions about your circumstances so that they can best advise you on your housing options. For the meeting please bring: proof of ID for yourself and all members of your household; proof of circumstances (for example, proof of registered disability or pregnancy); proof of income and benefits; proof of address for the last five years; tenancy agreements; mortgage information; and any relevant legal documents (for example, court papers). All the information you provide will be handled in confidence and in line with data-protection laws. Will I be allocated temporary accommodation? If you are eligible for help, homeless and in priority need, we will offer you temporary accommodation while we investigate your circumstances. In most cases, accommodation is provided in Dacorum. However, at times, you will be placed further away. While in temporary accommodation you will have to pay a weekly service charge. If we do not have temporary accommodation available, we may house you in bed-and-breakfast accommodation until space becomes available. 4

5 How long will I stay in temporary accommodation? The time it takes to be permanently rehoused will depend on: the size of property you need; the areas you are able to live in; the demand for accommodation in those areas; and your support needs. If I become homeless due to an emergency and the office is not open, what can I do? If you become homeless outside of normal working hours and cannot make your own temporary arrangements, please call the emergency homeless line on Even if you can sort out your own temporary arrangements, you still should contact us the next working day. More information We regularly update our website with housing information. For more advice and information, please visit For information about our other housing options services and other agencies, please see our leaflet Your housing options. Useful contacts Housing Options Dacorum Borough Council, The Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead By phone: By housing.options@dacorum.gov.uk Visit: or 5

6 Citizens Advice Address: Dacre House, 19 Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4AA Phone: (Advice Line) Visit: Opening hours Mondays 9.30am to 6.30pm Tuesdays 9.30am to 4pm Wednesdays pre-booked appointments only Thursdays 9.30am to 5.45pm Fridays pre-booked appointments only DENS (Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter) Phone: DENS day centre phone: DrugLink Phone: Shelter Phone: Visit: YMCA Phone: Housing Benefit Dacorum Borough Council, Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hemsptead Phone: Visit: 6

7 Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association Watford New Hope Trust An emergency line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on , day centre Support for those experiencing domestic abuse or hate crime National Domestic Violence Phone: Herts Sunflower Helpline: Specialist housing advice (young people) NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) Phone: help@nyas.net Herts Young Homeless Phone: Targeted Youth Support Service Children s Services, Hertfordshire County Council Phone: (24-hour) Aldwyck Housing Group (Swan Foyer) Phone: swan.foyer@aldwyck.co.uk 7

8 Housing Options Dacorum Borough Council The Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hemsptead and ask for Housing Options or