Homelessness isn’t confined to living on the street. Even if you do have a roof over your head, you might still be legally homeless. If you don’t have any rights to stay where you live, or if your home is unsuitable for you, you might be classed as homeless.
If you are homeless, there are several organisations that are committed to helping you out. We’ve linked them on the right – go and have a look. There’s also some info on this page about getting a roof over your head. And, if you want to talk to someone straight away, call Shelterline free on 0808 800 4444 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm).
If you are looking for short-term or emergency accommodation, call the Shelterline free on 0808 800 4444 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm). They have a list of homeless accommodation in Scotland that may be able to help you out. They will also explain your rights and tell you what your options are.
If you are homeless or facing homelessness, speak to somebody who can give you advice. Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way:
If you are under 16, go to the Social Work office and they will help you
If you are 16 or over, you can make your own decisions - the Council shouldn’t tell your parents or relatives what is happening unless you want them to.
Next, go to the Council Social Work Department, or Housing department. Tell them you are homeless or have to leave wherever you’re staying. They should interview you - this will probably be done by housing staff. You should be given the choice of speaking to either a male or female housing officer to make sure you are comfortable.
You might have to wait for them to consider your situation. If you need somewhere to stay in the meantime, even temporarily, tell this to the Council staff. If they believe you are homeless and are eligible for assistance, then you are entitled to temporary accommodation until a decision is made on whether you are homeless or not.
Temporary accommodation includes hostels and temporary furnished flats, although the Council may use other types of properties too.
If the Council decides that you are homeless and 'in priority need', they should offer you permanent accommodation. This can include properties rented by the Council or Housing Association, or private property.
You might have to wait for them to consider your case, but you should be treated as 'in priority need' if you are:
You could be vulnerable because you or someone you live with:
If the Council don’t accept you as 'in priority need' but you are homeless, you still have a right to temporary accommodation for a reasonable period of time while they provide you with advice and assistance to help you find somewhere more permanent to stay.
If they say you are not homeless, or 'in priority need', or that you are intentionally homeless, you may appeal if you disagree. You can also appeal if you think the offer of permanent accommodation was unreasonable. The Council has a duty to provide you with temporary accommodation until the appeal has been decided.
The Council may tell you of organisations who can help your appeal, or you can contact a Citizens Advice Bureau or Housing Aid Centre, or Shelterline on 0808 800 4444 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm).
If you are 16 -18, depending on why you are homeless and what needs you have, the Council can use the Children (Scotland) Act to offer you somewhere to stay. They have a duty to help you while you look for accommodation.
They should also do this if whoever is, or was, looking after you can’t any more. It doesn’t matter of you come from another part of the country.
If you are between 18 and 21, the Council may still be able to offer you somewhere to stay if they think it is in the interests of your welfare. Make sure they know all about your circumstances.
The Council may offer you a shared house, hostel, council flat, private rented flat, children’s home, or foster care. They may not be able to give you exactly what you want, but they should listen to your views and opinions.
Your first month in a new place can be expensive, as you have to pay the deposit as well as the month’s rent. However, there are Rent Deposit or Guarantee Schemes which can give you money for a deposit or for damages.
If you are homeless, you are still entitled to claim benefits. If you receive your money by giro you can arrange to collect your giro in person from the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) rather than have it sent to you. If you are in a crisis situation, you may also be able to apply for a loan to cover emergency expenses but you will have to pay this loan back. Whether loans are given or not depends on your circumstances.
If you are homeless, over 18 and a UK citizen, you are still entitled to vote. Instead of registering at a permanent address, you can register at a temporary address or by making a declaration of local connection. This is a statement that you make to the local electoral office to say where you spend the majority of your time.
Published on 07/07/2010
Last modified on 20/12/2011
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