Housing advice for homeless people

What do I do if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness?

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness then you should contact the Council's Homelessness Team at:

Springkerse House 5 Springkerse Road Stirling, FK7 7SN Tel: 01786 432400 (during office hours) Tel: 0845 277 7000 (24 hours a day)

All adults have a right to apply for Council Housing,  You should complete a Housing Application form at the same time, in case you do not meet the strict legal definition of a homeless priority applicant.

How will my Application for homelessness be assessed?

If you apply as a homeless person Stirling Council will assess your application in accordance with the law on homelessness.

Stage 1

First we establish:  Whether you are homeless, or threatened with homelessness within the next two months.

Stage 2

If you are found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness we will establish if you have a priority under the Act.  This may be because:

  • There are dependent children in your family or you are pregnant

  • You are vulnerable as a result of age, mental or physical ill health

  • of an emergency e.g. fire or flood

Stage 3

 If you have a priority need we then check to make sure that you did not become homeless through your own fault.

Stage 4

If it was not your fault that you became homeless we will then check that:

You have a connection to the Stirling Area.  If you do not have a connection to this area we may refer you to another Council where you do have a connection.

How many offers of accommodation will be made?

If the Council accepts that you are homeless and the Council has a legal duty to provide you housing, then two offers of accommodation will be made.

These offers will be reasonable and will take into account both your needs and the limited availability of housing.  It will not, however, always be possible to make offers that meet your choices and preferences because of the lack of availability of housing in some areas at the time the offer is made.

Once two reasonable offers have been made the Council will have carried out it's duties and will not make a further offer.  Any temporary accommodation being provided must also be vacated immediately.

Do I have a right of appeal?

You have a right of appeal if you believe that your application as a homeless person has not been dealt with fairly.  If you wish to appeal against the decisions made on your case then please contact the casework staff at Springkerse House either in person at the address above or by phone on 01786 432400.

Please note that it is a serious offence to withhold or provide false information in connection with a homeless persons application and those committing such an offence may be prosecuted and fined.

If no assistance can be offered through the homeless legislation will my housing application remain on the Housing list?

Yes, your registration housing application will remain on the list and points will be awarded in accordance with your current housing circumstances.  Remember if you move address then you will need to complete a new housing registration application form so that we have the correct details to assess your case.

Will I be offered Bed and Breakfast accommodation?

The Council may offer you temporary accommodation while your case is being investigated.  Whenever possible we will offer you a Council owned property.  Bed and Breakfast accommodation will only be offered if no other accommodation is available at that time.  Pregnant women and households with children will be offered bed and breakfast accommodation as a last resort, and for as short a period as possible.

Note: If you are offered temporary accommodation you will be responsible for the costs of storing your household belongings.

 

Further information…