I am already homeless
If homelessness cannot be prevented the Council will have a duty to relieve your homelessness, this duty lasts for 56 days. During this period the Council will help to secure you alternative accommodation. However, only people who the Council have reason to believe have a priority need will be offered temporary accommodation.
If you are homeless tonight, you should present to the Town Hall - DURING OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday 8.30am-12.00pm 2.00pm-4.00pm, Friday 8.30am-12.00pm 2.00pm-3:45pm OUT OF OFFICE HOURS In an emergency, call us on (01642) 524552.
The help the Council will provide is likely to include:
- Giving you your local housing options
- Giving advice and helping you with your difficulties in finding somewhere else to live
- Assisting you to find accommodation through Darlington HomeSearch and in the private rented sector
- Considering you for financial assistance to help you to secure private rented accommodation
- Referring you for supported housing
- Develop a Personalised Housing Plan with you
This relief duty will come to an end if you:
- accept alternative accommodation which is suitable and likely to last for at least 6 months
- reject alternative accommodation which was suitable and was likely to last for at least 6 months
- refuse to engage with the help which is being offered
- lose contact with the Council
- cease to be eligible for assistance
- withdraw your application
- 56 period comes to an end
If you are still homeless after this period the Council will make a decision on what further duties you are owed. The extent of these duties depend on whether you have a priority need or whether your homelessness was your fault. The Council’s duties to help you may be reduced if you rejected suitable accommodation or refused to engage with us whilst we had the 56 day duty to relieve your homelessness.