Homelessness

It is important to get help as soon as you have a problem. Housing advice and support services have trained officers to help stop you from losing your home. They can also help you move to more suitable accommodation.

What do I do if I have nowhere to live?

If you are homeless today you can go to the Housing Advice and Support Services team and ask for an assessment.

Do I need to bring anything?

You will need to take the following with you.

• Proof of your ID, such as a valid passport, a driving licence, a medical card, a letter from your GP
• Proof of your income or benefits
• Proof of your National Insurance number

What will I be asked at my interview?

You will be asked questions about your current situation. This is important as it will allow the team to make a decision on whether you have a priority need and whether we have a duty to provide you with a home.

You have a priority need if you:

• are pregnant
• have dependent children living with you
• are over 60 years of age
• are unable to find your own house because you are ill or disabled
• are homeless because of a fire or flood
• are 16 or 17 years old
• are leaving an institution such as the armed forces or prison

If you are in one of the categories above and have nowhere to sleep, an officer will carry out a temporary accommodation assessment.

What is temporary accommodation?

This is a place for you to stay while your Homelessness Officer looks into the reasons why you are homeless.

This could be a hostel or bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

What if I do not have a priority need?

If you do not have a priority need you will still be able to get help in finding accommodation.

We cannot provide you with emergency accommodation, but can help you in looking for somewhere to stay.

When will I receive a decision?

Once we have completed your assessment, we will write to you with our decision. If we have accepted a duty to rehouse you, we will give you priority for a new home.

You will have a limited amount of time to place your ‘expression of interest' on a property (an expression of interest is a way of registering your interest in a property - please visit 'Renting from a council or housing association' for more information).

Where can I get more help?

You can speak to your Housing Options Officer who will:

• give you advice about your rights
• put you in contact with a specialist Homelessness Officer
• help you to secure permanent accommodation

You can also contact the Housing Advice and Support Team as below.

For independent advice about your rights you can also contact:

Salford City Citizens Advice Bureau
Salford Precinct
25a Hankinson Way
Salford
M6 5JA

Telephone: 0845 345 4345

Shelter (for urgent housing advice)

Telephone: 0808 800 4444

• 8.00am to 8.00pm from Monday to Friday
• 8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday

Who to contact

Name

Salford Housing Options Point

Address

Salford Opportunties Centre
2 Paddington Close
Salford
M6 5PL
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 793 2020

Email

housing.advicecentre@salford.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 26 March 2012