You can apply to some hostels directly
There are some 'direct access' hostels where you can just ask at the door or telephone to find out if there are any spaces. A list of these can be found at thepavement.org.uk
If you apply to the council, make sure they don’t think you just want to go on the general waiting list
Applying to the Council as 'homeless' is different from asking for your name to go on the Council's general waiting list. Simply going on the waiting list means building up points, often over many years, before being offered a place. Applying as homeless is an emergency application where you are asking for immediate temporary accommodation to be followed, in due course, by permanent accommodation So if you are homeless and applying for emergency accommodation, make sure the person you speak to is clear about this.
If you are applying to the Council as homeless on medical grounds, having evidence from your doctor is vital
Physical or mental disability or illness is often a key category that you might be relying on. It is often a question of how well your medical evidence is presented which decides whether you will be successful. Getting a GP, social worker or other professional to back up your case is often vital.
If you intend to apply to a council away from where you live, you will need to prove a ‘local connection’ with that area
The idea of local connection is that you have some connection to the Council that you are applying to, perhaps because of living in the area, work or family It is important because if the Council finds that you do not have a local connection with its area but that you do have a local connection with another Council area, it can say that the other Council should help you instead
Documents you might need if you are applying to the council
It is best to take any relevant documents with you when you go to the council offices. This might include: Identification (for example, birth certificate or passport) Proof that you are on benefits If you are working, wage slips Past or present tenancy agreement Notice to quit Letter from anyone (such as a friend or relative) asking you to leave
It might be worth considering shared accommodation
House or flat sharing can be a way to make private renting affordable. This might not only keep the rent down but also other bills like council tax, heating, water rates and telephone line rental.
Plenty of private landlords will take people who are on benefits
It is true that many landlords will not take people on benefits but there are a sizeable number who do.
There is a website which lists some landlords who will accept people on Housing Benefit
Hbaccepted.co.uk is a website which has collected details of some letting agencies which will accept people who are on Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance
Before you view a private flat, there are some things you should prepare
Prepare a list of questions to ask the landlord before you call Have any references or details of referees ready to take with you Be ready to pay a deposit if you can (but avoid carrying large amounts of cash)
If you are offered temporary work outside London, with accommodation, make sure you are clear about what is being offered
You should be very clear about the terms of your employment and the benefits offered before you travel to take up a job outside London. This is even more the case the farther you will have to travel and therefore pay. This sort of work is best taken on a recommendation if possible.
If you left school with few qualifications, you could study at an Adult
Residential College where accommodation would be provided for a year There are a number of colleges across the UK which offer one year courses with accommodation provided. These colleges are particularly aimed at adults whose education stopped when they left school. Nearly all students are funded for up to a year by a special bursary which will covers fees, accommodation costs and other living expenses. To find out more about these colleges have a look at their websites:
Perhaps moving out of London is the answer to your problems
Why move out of London? It may be much easier and cheaper to find accommodation outside of London. You may be able to get a better standard of accommodation. You might want to get back in contact with old friends or family. You might want to make a fresh start. But think carefully first If you plan on moving back to an area where you lived before, you might want to think about the reasons you left there in the first place. If you plan on moving to an area where you have no existing contacts, think about how you might make friends, get support, and whether you will feel comfortable. If you are hoping to work, do you know the job or training prospects in the area.
Hand your Local Housing Allowance/Housing Benefit claim form in to the council rather than send it in the post
The best way to get your completed form to the council is to hand it in at the council office. You should get a receipt for the form. Ask for any documents you are handing in to be photocopied so you can keep the originals
You can ask for a Local Housing Allowance/Housing Benefit payment after 14 days of making your claim
If your claim has not been dealt with within 14 days of you handing in your form, and if you have provided all the correct information, you should get an automatic payment called a ‘payment on account’ If this has not happened after the 14 days, it is a good idea to ask the council to start these payments
If you can’t afford a deposit, a local deposit guarantee scheme might be able to help
These are schemes which usually offer a written guarantee to a landlord. This guarantees that if you fail to pay rent or damage property, the scheme will compensate the landlord. This gets round the problem of you being unable to pay a cash deposit. If the scheme does have to compensate the landlord, you will have to pay the scheme back. Many of these schemes are run by local councils or charities.
You can apply for a budgeting loan or a crisis loan to pay for rent in advance
One of the reasons you can apply for a budgeting loan or a crisis loan is to cover rent in advance (but you cannot get a budgeting loan or crisis loan for a deposit)
You can get free and low cost furniture from furniture projects
You can often get free or low cost furniture items from a local furniture project. This might include fridges and other domestic appliances. Items will usually be second-hand but they will have been tested for safety. You will usually need to be on benefits or a low income. You might have to ask a charity, advice centre or other support organization to put your name forward. Find details of London furniture projects by going to the London Furniture Re-use website at lcrn.org.uk
You might be able to apply for a Community Care Grant to cover furniture and moving-in expenses
Community Care Grants are grants to help you live independently in the community. They can therefore help with things like furniture and other moving-in expenses. You do not have to pay them back (unlike loans). |