Housing Options
Under the Housing Act 1996 everyone is entitled to housing advice.
Only some people are entitled to a guarantee of accommodation from the local authority. The local council has a duty to find you accommodation if you are found to be homeless and in priority need.
If you find that you are homeless/threatened with homelessness in the next 28 days, you can go to the Housing Information Centre and ask to see a Housing Options Officer. You can speak to them in a private interview room.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, your homeless application will be assessed jointly by someone from Social Services and a Housing Options Officer.
You will be assessed to see if you are
- Homeless;
- In priority need;
- Intentionally or unintentionally homeless; and if you
- Have a local connection to Stockport.
The local authority will use this information to decide if they have a duty to house you.
Each application is assessed on each individual person’s circumstances.
If you are found to be in housing need you will be offered temporary accommodation until you have secured your own tenancy through the bidding process.
Alternatively, if you wish to return to live with your parents or carers, there is a mediation service available. The Mediation Worker can help mediate on your behalf to see if you can go back to live with your parents or carer.
Short-term solutions / temporary accommodations
Nightstop: One night stay for young people aged 16-25, in the home of a police checked and trained volunteer.
Hostels: If you are assessed as priority need you will be referred by your Housing Options Officer to enter the men’s, women’s or families accommodation.
Hostels providing support: There are various types of hostels and different ways to access them. Some hostels wish to interview you and need references. Some are longer term, offering support to help people develop life skills and prepare for their own tenancy.
Bed and breakfast: This is increasingly a last resort for homeless people. You have little security of accommodation. The accommodation can be a poor standard and you may not be able to stay in the premises during the day.
Stockport Women’s Aid: If you need to leave a violent domestic situation contact Women’s Aid directly. If you need information and advice you can call the helpline. Also, the Housing Information Centre can refer you to a women’s aid hostel.
Before I leave – things to consider
Moving is an important step and expensive. If you need to move it should be as planned as possible to make the move a success. Without proper information and planning the chances of becoming homeless are much higher.
If you end up running away from home, you may find yourself on the streets. Here you are not only homeless but vulnerable to other people.
Think about:
- Why do I want to leave my current living situation?
- What problems could I overcome to stay at home or in my current living situation?
- Would it help having someone to talk to and mediate for me to try and resolve the problems, before things get too bad?
- Have I a friend or relative that I can ask to stay with while I sort things out?
- Have I really thought about the effect leaving would have on me, and how it would affect my relationships with parents, friends and partners?
- Have I talked over my ideas with someone I trust?
- Have I taken professional advice about the options available to me?
- Will I be able to carry on my education or work with no fixed abode?
- If I have no formal education or training will I get decent wages and afford a decent home?
- Do I have the money or access to money / benefits to make the move?
- Have I decided the area I would like to live in, and the type of accommodation I want – for example, would I mind living in a house share?
Types of accommodation
If I need to make the move and I have the cash and the information – which type of accommodation am I going to apply for?
Stockport Homes tenancy
You can visit the Housing Information Centre and complete an application for housing. You will be awarded points, with which you can bid for available properties. The properties are often very oversubscribed and if you do not have many points, it is likely to take several months, or even over a year, to secure a property.
If you are successful in bidding for a property, you will be placed on an Introductory Tenancy for the first twelve months. If you maintain your tenancy satisfactorily, it is likely to become a secure tenancy after the first year.
You application and assessment will be slightly different, if you have either a learning difficulty or a physical disability.
If you wish to leave a Council property, you will need to give Stockport Homes four weeks notice. If you do not give the required notice you could be still liable for the rent for this period.
Positives
- Lower rent
- Security of accommodation
- Repairs to property carried out for you
- Will take people on benefits
- No deposit required
- Good standard of accommodation
Negatives
- May not be the area you wish to live in
- Can take a long time until you bid successfully for a property
- Property will be unfurnished
Renting privately
