New bin service: Check where items belong
Our new waste and recycling service started on 1 June. If you're unsure where an item belongs, use our Waste and Recycling Lookup to quickly find the right bin and help avoid contamination.
At risk of homelessness
Popular tasks
If you think you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, for example through eviction, debt, unemployment or relationship breakdown, complete and submit a homeless referral online form and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
If you are unsure about your situation, you can call us on 01353 665555 to book an appointment, or visit the council offices to speak to one of our advisers at a drop-in clinic.
The earlier you contact us, the more time we have to help find a solution. We will do what we can to help you keep your home where possible.
What counts as homelessness
The law says someone is homeless if:
“They have no accommodation anywhere in the world that is legally available for them to live in.”
You may also be considered homeless if:
- you cannot live in your home because of flood, fire or another disaster
- it is unreasonable or unsafe for you to continue living there
- you have less than 56 days remaining in your accommodation
- your home is a moveable structure, such as a caravan or boat, and you have nowhere legal to place it
- you or a member of your household would be at risk of violence if you stayed there
You do not need to be sleeping on the street to be considered homeless.
If we decide you are not homeless or threatened with homelessness, we will still look at whether we can offer other support, such as help to maintain your tenancy or manage financial difficulties.
Housing advice and support
We can provide advice and support on:
- relationship breakdown
- debt and financial difficulties
- rent arrears and eviction
- mortgage arrears and homeowner support
- housing options and finding accommodation
- domestic abuse
- support for non-British citizens
- support for young people aged 16 and 17
Eligibility for assistance
We can only provide accommodation for you if you are eligible for assistance. The term “eligible” is usually related to your status here in the United Kingdom.
It means you are not subject to immigration control (Asylum and Immigration Act 1999). The law in this area is complicated and you should ask for advice.
If we decide you are not eligible for assistance, your application will end and you will be given a decision in writing that advises where you can go for help.
Intentionally homeless
You are deemed intentionally homeless if you deliberately do or fail to do something which causes you to lose your home, which otherwise would have been available and reasonable for you to have continued living in.
The most common examples of people being made intentionally homeless are:
- refusing to pay rent when there was enough income coming into the home
- breaching your tenancy conditions and therefore giving the landlord the option of obtaining possession of the property
- selling or giving up property that was available, suitable, and affordable to have continued occupying, without satisfactory reasons
- being evicted for anti-social behaviour caused by you, a member of your household or anyone visiting you
If you are found to be intentionally homeless, the council’s duty to provide temporary accommodation will end. However, we will continue to provide temporary accommodation for a reasonable period of time.
Housing help for non-British citizens
If you are from outside the UK, you may still be eligible for housing assistance depending on:
- your nationality
- your immigration status
- your worker status
- how long you have lived in the UK
You will need to attend an appointment or visit the council offices for an assessment.
Please bring:
- identification for all household members
- proof of income
- proof of residence and housing history in the UK
- your visa and supporting immigration documents if you are from outside the EEA or A2 countries
Each case is assessed individually.