We will need to ask you some questions so that we can help you. We will offer you advice and may be able to find housing for you.
We will not consider a homeless application unless we believe the person will meet the criteria.
If you apply as homeless, an investigation will be carried out into your circumstances to establish:
Are You Eligible for Assistance?
You will not be eligible for housing assistance if you:
- are not a British Citizen and/or do not have full rights to live here because of immigration status
- are not considered to be habitually resident in the UK.
- are not homeless or threatened with homelessness?
Homeless/Threatened with Homelessness
You are homeless if you :
- Have no accommodation in the UK or elsewhere that is available for your occupation and that you have a legal right to occupy
- Have accommodation but cannot secure entry to it
- Have accommodation but it is a moveable structure, for example, a caravan or houseboat
- Have accommodation but it would not be reasonable for you to occupy it.
You are Threatened with Homelessness if You:
- Are likely to become homeless within the next 28 days.
Housing authorities must not wait until homelessness is imminent before providing assistance.
Are You in Priority Need?
Priority Need
You are in priority need if:
- You are a woman who is pregnant or have dependant children who live, or might reasonably be expected to live with you.
- You have become homeless or are threatened with homelessness as a result of a flood, fire or other disaster.
- You are aged 16 or 17 and are not a 'relevant child' or a child in need who would be covered by the Children Act 1989 (except a person who is in full-time education and whose term-time accommodation is not available during a vacation - 'a relevant student').
- You are aged under 21 and have been looked after, accommodated or fostered between the ages of 16 and 18 (except 'a relevant student')
- You are vulnerable due to 'old age, mental illness, handicap, physical disability or other special reason'.
- You are vulnerable as a result of having been a member of Her Majesty's regular navy, military or armed forces.
- You are vulnerable as a result of having served a custodial sentence, being committed for contempt of court or other offence or being remanded in custody.
- You are vulnerable as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation because of violence or harassment from another person or threats of violence from another person that are likely to be carried out.
The duty generally extends to other members of the your household.
Are You Intentionally Homeless?
You will be considered to be intentionally homeless if you:
- Deliberately did or did not do something which caused you to leave housing, which you could otherwise have stayed in, and it would have been reasonable to stay there.
All these points must apply.
Do You Have a Local Connection?
You have a local connection if you:
- Have lived in the area by choice for a certain time (usually for six of the last twelve months or three of the last five years)
- Have a family connection in the area
- Work in the area
- Have a connection with the area for 'another special reason'
If any of these apply then you have a local connection.
If you do not have a local connection you will not get priority in Darlington – you will be referred to your 'home' authority for housing in that area.
Will the Information you give us be Treated as Confidential?
All of the information that you give us will be treated as confidential but will be shared with other agencies where appropriate for the purpose of assisting you with Housing.
We may need to discuss your circumstances with other people so that we can make the right decision about how we can help you, but we will ask your permission first.