Housing advice for young people

With the cost of housing on the open market rising in the Borough and prices for private rented properties increasing, it can be difficult to move out of home for the first time.

Leaving Home

If you are considering moving out of home for the first time to gain your own independence, or your family are asking you to leave, it is always better to try to have a planned move, as long as it is safe to do so.

There are a number of options you can consider, including:

For further information on how to plan a move please contact the Housing Options Team.

Asked to leave home?

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.

If you are going to be homeless we can help by talking to other people on your behalf, including:

Family, friends and relatives
Landlords
Housing Associations
Housing Benefits Staff.

The Housing Options Officer can help with filling in forms and 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.

Supported Housing

For young vulnerable people leaving home for the first time it can sometimes prove difficult to live alone. Supported housing initiatives help a young person prepare for independent living.

In Erewash, supported housing is available in two stages for single people and couples. Stage one supported accommodation progressing to more independent stage two move-on accommodation. For further information, please contact the Housing Options Team.

Paying rent

If you do move out of home into rented accommodation and you are on a low income or you are not working you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to assist with the rental payments. However if you are single and aged 16-25 you will normally only be entitled to enough housing benefit to cover the average cost of a room in a shared house in the area.

Aged 16 - 17

No Registered Social Landlords in the Borough will offer a tenancy to a person under the age of 18, without a guarantor or trustee (a person who will agree to be responsible for the rent if you fail to pay this).

If you are aged 16-17 and homeless, you should also approach the Children Services at Derbyshire County Council on 0845 6058058, as they have a duty to determine whether they should offer any support to you as a child in need.

Under 16’s

If you are under 16 and homeless, the law states that you cannot live alone and you must have an adult responsible for you. Erewash Borough Council does not have a duty to provide you with accommodation. This is the duty of the Children Services at Derbyshire County Council.

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

Hostels, advice and Support services
www.homelessuk.org (opens in a new window)

Rapid Response Team – Out of hours emergency homeless service
Tel: 0845 6058058 or 01629 532600

Shelter - Free housing advice helpline
Tel: 0808 800 4444

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