Homeless Welfare :
Who we are and what we do.
Are you homeless?
Do you have a priority need?
What next?
Out of Borough referrals
What does Part VII 1996
Housing Act say:
Temporary accommodation
Permanent accommodation
Appeals
Contact us
Useful links
Open to the public:
Monday to Friday
9.15am to 12.30pm (appointments)
Monday to Thursday 2.00pm to 4.30pm (emergency / NFA)
Friday
2.00pm to 4.00pm (emergency / NFA)
Receive, assess and make decisions on homeless presentations to the Local Authority under Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended by the Housing Act 2002) (taking into account broader corporate responsibilities under related legislation, policy and guidance). Take and recommend appropriate action including: -
Homeless Welfare provides help to homeless people.
You may be treated as homeless by the Council if you:
The above list gives examples only. If you think that you may be homeless you should approach the Council for help. If you are accepted as homeless you are entitled to assistance even if you are not in 'Priority Need' (see below).
You may have a priority need if you:
The above list is a guide only. There may be other circumstances in which
you could have a priority need.
If you are accepted as homeless and have a priority need, then in most cases
the Council must find you somewhere to stay.
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you will need to make an appointment to see a Homeless Welfare Officer OR if your needs are urgent and you will be homeless that day, an emergency appointment can be arranged or you can present directly between 2pm and 4pm.
At the interview your needs will be assessed and advice and assistance will
be given to help resolve your housing difficulties.
Households in certain circumstances are prioritised for assistance by Homeless
Welfare - these include:
If you do not fall within one of these categories you will be advised to
seek initial assistance from Housing Advice Services Link to Housing Advice
General Leaflet Page 1.
They will then assist in finding temporary accommodation as well as advising
how to secure more permanent accommodation. They will also arrange a formal
appointment with Homeless Welfare if necessary.
Further enquiries may need to be made before making a decision about your
case.
Customers who do not live in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton should be
directly referred to their relevant council area Emergency Duty Team which
are:
For Salford City residents: 0161 794 888
For Wigan MBC residents: 01253 501245
For Bury MBC residents: 0161 253 6606
For Blackburn with Darwen Council residents: 01254 583777
For Lancashire County Council residents: 01254 583777
For Manchester City residents: 0161 274 3099
The Act, combined with government guidance, local policy and case law determines to whom the Local Authority has a legal duty to provide:
This is done by assessing whether an applicant is:
Temporary Accommodation is provided
through a range of Local Authority and voluntary sector sources. These include
hostels, mother and baby units, refuges, dispersed supported and resettlement
accommodation. Homeless Welfare is the central referral point for a number of
these scheme.
Permanent Accommodation is provided
through Neighbourhood housing and estate offices and by a number of other
partner Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).
Applicants for accommodation must register on the 'homesforyou register and
then express interest in properties as and when they are advertised on a
weekly basis.
Properties are then allocated dependant upon: an applicant meeting the
relevant property criteria; applications being sorted by application date
and/or the date a 'high/urgent' need priority is awarded.
In some cases, though not all, priority need homeless households may be provided with a 'high/urgent' need priority to assist that household to secure a property quickly.
Problems can be encountered particularly if an applicant has previously
been evicted or they have outstanding former tenancy arrears.
Households accepted for priority rehousing as homeless are entitled to express
interest in properties via the choice based lettings system. A refusal to take
up a 'reasonable offer' would result in the loss of rehousing priority as
homeless due to the local authority having discharged its duty.
Advice and Assistance can be provided by
Homeless Welfare particularly to assist those not being accepted as statutory
homeless, however, most such clients are referred onto Housing Advice for a
more comprehensive advice service (advice relating to housing options, private
renting, security of tenure/landlord tenant as well as being able to refer to
a range of temporary accommodation.)
If you are unhappy about the decision made on your case, Bolton at Home has
an Appeals Procedure.
Homeless Welfare staff can tell you how this works and what you need to do is
request an Appeal.
Your Appeal will then be heard as quickly as possible and you are entitled to
be represented or to bring a friend along with you.
Homeless Welfare Section
"The Link"
1 Silverwell Lane
BOLTON
BL1 1QN
Telephone:(01204) 335830
To make an appointment Tel: Bolton (01204) 335830
Alternatively you can call into:
The Housing Options Centre
The Link
1 Silverwell Lane
Bolton
Lancs BL1 1QN
Homeless Welfare - 16 & 17 Year Olds
Domestic Violence
Housing Association Contact List
