Temporary housing if you are homeless

We will have to use a variety of forms of emergency accommodation depending on availability, your individual needs and circumstances. The most likely type of accommodation offered will be one of the following:

Bed and Breakfast
This is hotel accommodation. You will be provided with room(s) and breakfast or breakfast provisions. The facilities such as kitchen, bathrooms etc. are usually shared. Normally there is a member of hotel staff on site to manage the property. Any problems or repairs should be reported to them.

This form of accommodation is only used in an emergency if our allocated temporary accommodation is unavailable. It is obtained on a daily basis and is not always available within the area requested.

You will be charged the full cost of this accommodation. You may be entitled to housing benefit to assist with these costs. Payment for your accommodation must be paid to us.

Self Contained Accommodation (private sector leased)
These are flats and houses not owned or managed by the Council. Any problems or repairs should therefore be reported to the owner directly.

This accommodation has no shared facilities and provides a better standard of occupation.

You will be charged the full cost of this accommodation. You may be entitled to housing benefit to assist with these costs. Payment for your accommodation must be paid to the Council.

You will be responsible for your own electricity, gas, water and Council Tax bills. Any damage caused to the property or its contents will be recharged to you.

This accommodation may be furnished and located in any part of the town.

Terms and Conditions
It is important to note that this accommodation is provided for you and your household only. Any breach to the terms and conditions under which you have been allocated any of the above accommodation may cause us to cancel your accommodation and evict you. It is your responsibility to inform us of any change in your circumstances, which could affect your application.

The following are the most common reasons why people lose their temporary accommodation:

• non-payment of accommodation charge
• damage to property
• nuisance to other residents
• failure to comply with the terms and conditions under which the accommodation was supplied to you
• non-occupation/over occupation
• anti-social behaviour including use or possession of drugs

If you do lose temporary accommodation as a result of your own actions or behaviour, the Council may have no further duty to accommodate you under the provisions of the homeless legislation. In this case you will be expected to make your own arrangements.

Ongoing support
While you are in temporary accommodation we will be able to help you improve your quality of life and find a permanent place to live. We call this floating support and can help you to:

• find a suitable house on an internet based housing system
• know what benefits you might be able to get
• manage your finances
• find a school place for your child
• get work training
• stay healthy at this stressful time