Homeless or Threatened with Homelessness

What is Homelessness?

Homelessness means not having a home. Even if you have a roof over your head you can still be homeless. This is because you may not have any rights to stay where you live or your home might be unsuitable for you.

What situations mean you are homeless?

You don't have to be sleeping on the streets to be classed as homeless. You might also be entitled to help as a homeless person if you are:

• temporarily staying with friends or family
• staying in a hostel or bed and breakfast
• living in very overcrowded conditions
• at risk of violence or abuse in your home
• living in poor conditions that affect your health
• living somewhere that you have no legal right to stay in (eg a squat)
• living somewhere that you can't afford to pay for without depriving yourself of basic essentials
• forced to live apart from your family or someone you would normally live with because your accommodation isn't suitable.

Castle Morpeth Housing's Tenancy Services Officers are responsible for investigating homeless applications. They provide a legal duty under the Housing Act 1996, Part VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002).

This team provide advice and help to people applying as homeless and will go through with the applicant a range of Housing Options.

If you require advice or guidance you can contact us on 0845 117 0020 or by email info@castlemorpethhousing.co.uk

Please note our office opening hours are: Mon - Thurs 8.30am - 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm. If you are in an emergency situation and require urgent assistance contact our out of hours service on 01670 545194.