Making a homelessness application
Once you have contacted us, you will be offered an appointment within five working days depending on the urgency of your situation. Contact us.
Your interview
We will need to gather as much information about your housing problem as possible so that we can fully understand your circumstances and give you the most appropriate advice. This initial assessment could take up to an hour and a half. You will be asked questions about your circumstances and other members of your household and asked to provide certain documents to support your application.
We will assess the information provided and decide what duty if any we owe you. We may need further information from you before we can make a decision.
Homelessness prevention
If you are threatened with homelessness in 56 days, you are entitled to a prevention duty. This means we must take reasonable steps to help you remain in your accommodation wherever possible. If we cannot keep you in your current accommodation, we will help you to look for somewhere else to live. You will be given a personal housing plan which lists actions for you and us to take to resolve your situation.
Homeless relief
If you are homeless, you are entitled to a relief duty for up to 56 days. This means that we must take reasonable steps to help you to look for other accommodation. This does not mean that you will be offered a council property, but we will give you advice on how to find accommodation that is suitable and affordable for your needs. You will be given a personal housing plan which lists actions for you and us to take to resolve your situation.
Temporary accommodation
We do not have to provide temporary accommodation to everybody who is homeless - the help that we can give depends on whether or not you are in priority need or vulnerable.
Even if we cannot provide temporary accommodation, we will always try to find you a place in a hostel or supported housing scheme, although this may not be in the Craven area.
Social housing
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, we will give you some priority on the housing register. But due to high demand and low turnover in some areas, there is no guarantee that you will get an offer of social housing. In most cases we would encourage you to look for accommodation in the private rented sector and we offer assistance with bonds and rent in advance to enable people to access this.
Outside office hours
Contact us.
Support from other organisations
There are other local organisations that can provide additional support.