What should I do if I think I might be homeless?

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2 Am I Homeless? You are homeless if: You have nowhere to live. You have nowhere that you and your family can live together. You have somewhere to live but are scared to stay there because of the threat of violence or abuse. You have somewhere to live but it s overcrowded and is causing you health problems. You are living somewhere but the owner has not given you permission to be there. You have been staying with a friend or relative but they have told you have to leave. You live in a caravan, Mobile home, or boat and have nowhere to put it. Even if you are not yet homeless but you have to leave where you are living within the next two months, you should still contact the Council to get advice. What should I do if I think I might be homeless? 1: Get in touch with the Council The first thing you need to do is contact the Council. Housing Options: Housing Options, 16 College Wynd, Kilmarnock Tel: or Housing Options, Rothesay House, 1 Greenholm Road, Cumnock Tel: / Try to do this before you become homeless so we can start looking at your housing options as soon as possible. If you are in hospital or prison, you should ask to speak to a Social Worker who will help you to contact us. There is also advice and information available within HMP Kilmarnock and staff there can arrange to refer you to the Homeless Service within the Link Centre. An Outreach Service is also available within HMP Glasgow and Greenock. If you have any questions about homelessness or becoming homeless, visit the Housing Options Office, 16 College Wynd, Kilmarnock or Housing Options, Rothesay House, 1 Greenholm Road, Cumnock. Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions that you have and provide expert advice and information. Alternatively, you can go to your Neighbourhood Housing Office who will contact us.

3 If you are a victim of domestic abuse, we can put you in touch with Women s Aid for advice and support. 2: Attend your homeless interview If you are homeless we will arrange an interview with one of our Officers. The interview will last approximately an hour. You can bring a representative of your choice to your interview. What Happens Next? Temporary accommodation After your interview, we may offer you temporary accommodation. This could be within a Hostel or a furnished property. This will be temporary until a decision is made on your homeless person s application. We will arrange for you to speak to a support officer who can help you in a number of ways including: Filling out your housing applications forms Helping you with benefits and money advice Helping you find accommodation that suits your needs Helping you view your new home Help you to access furniture Help you to access other agencies that can assist you. Where can I be housed? Once a decision has been made regarding your homeless application we can start to look at the housing options available to you. This will depend on what type of accommodation you need and what is available. Due to large number of people on East Ayrshire Council s waiting list you may have to a limited choice of accommodation. It is useful to remember that you may not be offered housing in an area that you would desire. It is very important that

4 you think carefully about what areas you are willing to live in and give careful consideration to any offer of housing that the Council makes to you. Useful Telephone Numbers If you are homeless or need further advice, here are some useful contact numbers. Housing Options at 16 College Wynd, Kilmarnock is a dedicated housing information and advice service for East Ayrshire. Contact the service on housing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk Website: In an Emergency If you find yourself homeless and the Local Council Offices are closed, you can contact: East Ayrshire Council s 24 Hour helpline Or alternatively you can contact Police Scotland on 101 or visit your nearest Police station. Police Stations 10 St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1TJ Titchfield Street, Galston, KA4 8AW 78 Ayr Road, Cumnock, KA18 1EE 33 Main Street, Dalmellington, KA6 7AY 8 Avenue Square, Stewarton, KA3 5AB Local Community Hubs Rothesay House, 1 Greenholm Road, Cumnock or Dalmellington Area Centre, 33 Main St Dalmellington KA6 7QL John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock Northwest Area Centre, Western Road, Kilmarnock

5 Ayrshire wide Social Work out of hours response service Citizens Advice Bureau Free impartial advice on where to het help if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness Kilmarnock Cumnock Domestic Abuse Helpline Shelter Scotland Women's Aid Support, assistance and refuge for women suffering Domestic Abuse Kilmarnock Cumnock

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