Worried about becoming homeless

Our priority is to help you avoid becoming homeless. We can do this by negotiating with the people you live with or your landlord, giving you advice, or by helping you find another home quickly. People threatened with homelessness often leave it to the last minute before contacting us. Don’t postpone, contact the Housing Aid team today if you might become homeless. The sooner you contact us the more likely we will be able to help you and prevent you becoming homeless.

How we can help

If you are eligible and homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days, we will create a Personal Housing Plan to help you find a place to live and address any other issues that are affecting your housing.

• If you are a private tenant or leaseholder we can provide free, confidential and impartial advice about your tenancy including illegal eviction and harassment

• If you are living with relatives or friends, we will mediate on your behalf to try and keep you in your home

• We can help you claim housing benefit to clear your rent arrears and prevent your eviction

• We can provide information about low cost home ownership

• We can provide information about accessing hostels and private rented accommodation

• We can see if you are eligible for a grant to reduce or clear rent arrears or to use as a deposit for a private rented home

• We can arrange support to keep you in your tenancy

• If you are experiencing domestic violence we can explain what housing options are available to you

We will not be able to provide accommodation for most people who are homeless. If you do not fall into one of the categories we have a legal duty to house, you will need to find accommodation for yourself. Shelter’s guide on housing rights helps you work out if you’re eligible for assistance and what you’re entitled to.