Homelessness

When you are threatened with homelessness and have children or vulnerable members in your household, you should always seek specialist advice and assistance from the Homelessness Advice Service. If English is not your first language, we can provide access to a specialist language or interpreter wherever possible.

If you are homeless as a result of an emergency outside of normal office hours, you can contact the council’s out of hours service on 023 8023 3344.

If you have received a court summons to attend court it’s very important that you go. Going to Court is nothing to be afraid of and it’s a chance for you to tell the Court what you are doing to about your rent arrears. Help is available from the Court desk service on the following days: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.45am until 12.30pm. If you don’t attend, the Court is likely to grant possession of your home to your landlord meaning that you will have to leave your home.

The judge will want to know your views about your rent arrears so you need to be prepared to tell them – so ensure your facts are correct. Take proof of your income/benefits and outgoings and work out beforehand what you can afford to pay back.

You need to show the Court that you can meet your rent payment and make a realistic offer towards paying back the arrears. Don’t overstretch yourself or make promises you cannot keep.

Early intervention is the key to a successful homelessness prevention service. We have moved from a reactive to a proactive service or from “housing the homeless” to “homeless prevention”. Find out what your range of housing options are and what happens if your interview does not resolve your problem.