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Homelessness - advice and support

The council provides a comprehensive advice service and assists those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Officers will help someone if they become or are in imminent danger of becoming homeless. However not everyone will receive the same help or assistance as this will depend on their particular circumstances.

Although the majority of applicants are seen by appointment between 9am and 5pm at one of the Council offices - in Northallerton, Stokesley or Easingwold - there is emergency cover 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. Call 0845 1211 555 or 01609 767267(our of hours emergency number only)

Officers also help homeless households who apply for assistance under the Rent Agriculture Act and deal with referrals from the County Council under the Children Act.

Everyone's case is looked at confidentially and will be assessed on its own merits, having regard to the law.

If at any time, you think you might be made homeless you should contact one of the housing officers for advice and assistance whether you are a private tenant, without tenancy or a home owner.

• If you are a Housing Association tenant and you are having problems paying your rent, contact your Housing Association Housing Officer in the first instance.
  

If you are facing homelessness because your landlord wants you to leave your house or flat and you do not wish to leave or you have nowhere to go, your landlord must obtain a possession order from a court. The law protects you against harassment and illegal eviction.

Please speak to a council housing officer for advice if you are served notice by your landlord and have nowhere to go.

Protection from Eviction
The council aims to protect the rights of tenants in the District who are illegally evicted or being harassed by offering by advice, through mediation or by enforcement action.

Making a Homeless Application

If you are homeless and all of the following apply to you
- - You are in priority need
- - You have not become homeless intentionally
- - You have a local connection with the district

The Council may have a duty to find you temporary and/or permanent housing.

 

If you have made a homelessness application and are not satisfied with the decision you can request a review by following the review procedure Opens in a new window

What is priority need?

The following cases are examples of priority need:
- A pregnant woman or a person with whom she resides or might reasonably be expected to reside.
- A person with whom dependent children reside or might be reasonably expected to reside.
- A person who is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or some other special reason, or with whom such a person resides or might reasonably be expected to reside.
- A person who is homeless, or threatened with homelessness, as a
result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster.
- A person aged 16-17 (not care leaver) who has no secure accommodation.
- A person under 21 who was 'looked after' between the ages of 16 and 18.
- A person aged 21 or over who is vulnerable as a result of having been 'looked after'.
- A person who is vulnerable as a result of having been a member of HM regular forces.
- A person who is vulnerable as a result of having served a custodial sentence.
- A person who is vulnerable as a result of leaving accommodation due to violence from another person.

What is intentional homelessness?

This means that we believe that you chose to give up a home which you could have stayed in or you deliberately did or failed to do something which you knew would result in the loss of your home. Consequently the Council does not have a duty to provide permanent housing.
The Council would still offer advice and assistance.

Intentionally homeless can include:

- Choosing to sell your home where there was no risk of losing it, or losing your home because of wilful and persistent refusal to pay rent or mortgage payments.
- Voluntarily giving up accommodation when it would have been reasonable for you to remain.
- Being evicted because of anti-social behaviour.
- Having voluntarily resigned from a job with tied accommodation where the circumstances indicated it would have been reasonable to continue in the employment.
- Unreasonably failing to take up accommodation that was available to you.

What is a local connection?

- Living or have lived in Hambleton at some time in the past and that residence in the area was of your own choice.
- Having a permanent job in Hambleton.
- Having a close relative who has lived in Hambleton for some time (usually 5 years).
- Needing to live in Hambleton due to special circumstances

Temporary Accommodation

Whilst an investigation is being carried out temporary accommodation will be provided for you and your family if necessary. This can be in a residential property, at a Womens' Refuge or in a bed and breakfast establishment. Young people may be housed with the YMCA.

Advice and Assistance:
Even if the Council does not accept that it has a duty to provide accommodation, we will try to give appropriate help and advice so that you can arrange your own accommodation. Ask a Housing Officer for advice on Welfare Benefits, Benefits for Training and Housing Benefit and the Bond Scheme for help in finding privately rented accommodation.

Permanent Housing:
We will help you to secure an offer of permanent housing if your homeless application is successful. This will not be council housing as Hambleton District Council does not have any housing stock. We are in regular contact with local housing associations who can make accommodation available to homeless people.

HOW DO I PAY FOR MY ACCOMMODATION?

Whether you are in permanent or temporary accommodation, you will need to pay for the accommodation provided. If you are unemployed, in receipt of benefit or on a low income you may qualify for assistance through Housing Benefit. A Housing Benefit Officer will assist you to complete a Housing Benefit Application Form, and you will need to provide proof of all your income and the rent you are being charged. If you are successful in your Housing Benefit claim, the benefit you receive will only cover your basic rent. If you are in temporary accommodation any other facilities, for example breakfast, heating or lighting, must be paid for by yourself. We will tell you how this should be paid when you make your claim. Failure to make the necessary payment will result in the Council taking action to terminate any support for the occupation of your accommodation and you may be asked to leave.

If you are in receipt of any benefit issued by the Benefits Agency you must inform them of your change of address.

WHAT IF THE COUNCIL CANNOT HELP WITH ACCOMMODATION?

Even if we cannot offer you permanent or temporary accommodation Housing Officers in the Housing Department will advise and assist you in your search for alternative accommodation. You can find details of Housing Associations and private landlords on this website along with several contacts for emergency and temporary accommodation which may be able to see you through short term
If you have nowhere to live, but you are not thought to be vulnerable under the Homeless rules you should explore all options for accommodation.
- In the short term it is often possible for a friend or relative to put you up. This will give you "breathing space" while you look for a cheaper permanent place to live.
- Arrange temporary accommodation with a bed and breakfast, hostel or holiday let.
- You can look for accommodation to rent from a private landlord via local press, estate agents, and several links on this website
- You can register with Broadacres Housing Association Opens in a new window.