Are you aged 16-24 and/or
- Have you left home.
- Are you thinking of leaving home.
- Are you looking for accommodation.
- Are your parents, family or friends asking you to leave.
If the answer is yes to any of the above, you may need to seek housing advice from the Housing Options Team.
Here at the Council we now have an Housing Options Officer, whose role is to help young people who are in housing crisis and who may be in fear of losing their home or who may just need some housing advice.
Am I homeless?
You could be considered homeless if:
- You are sleeping on a friend’s floor,
- experiencing violence (sexual or physical abuse) within your home,
- staying in temporary accommodation,
- sleeping rough,
- staying in a squat,
- or due to relationship breakdown parents are asking you to leave.
What will the Housing Options Officer do?
If you are going to be homeless we can help by talking to other people on your behalf, including:
- Family, friends and relative, if this will help
- Landlords
- Housing Associations
- Housing Benefits Staff
And other agencies including:
- Job centre
- Connexions
- Drug & Alcohol services, if you want help with an addiction
The Housing Options Officer can help with filling in forms for:
- Housing
- Benefits
- Pre-tenancy determinations.
They can also refer you to other agencies, including:
- Mediation – if you’ve fallen out with your family
- Floating Support – to help manage your tenancy etc
- Supported Accommodation projects - if you need somewhere to live
Where can I get this help?
If you think you need this help you should contact us without delay to discuss your housing options.
Other useful contacts:
Citizens Advice Bureau – Free housing advice
Tel. 0870 121 2028
Connexions
FREEPHONE: 0800 269468 Or 0115 9302636
Derbyshire Housing Aid – Free housing advice
Tel. 01332 297611
Freephone: 0800 318034
Erewash Social Services
Children’s Duty/Adult Duty
Tel: 0115 909 8585
Hostels, advice and Support services
www.homelessuk.org
Rapid Response Team – Out of hours emergency homeless service
Tel. 01773 728222
Shelter - Free housing advice helpline
Tel. 0808 800 4444