Homelessness
If you are at risk of becoming homeless, report it to your local authority as soon as possible. Homelessness isn’t just about rough sleeping. It also includes situations such as sofa surfing or sleeping at a friend or relative’s house on a temporary basis.
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(Northampton, Daventry, South Northamptonshire).
Call the West Northants Housing Teams on 0300 126 7000 or visit one of their offices between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday:
- The Guildhall, St Giles Street, Northampton, NN1 1DE
- The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD
- The Abbey Centre, St Johns Square, Daventry, NN11 4XG
If you need help urgently after 5pm, contact the out of hours service on 0300 126 7000.
(Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, East Northamptonshire)
Call the North Northants Housing Teams on 01536 464630 or email roughsleepingteam@northnorthants.gov.uk. If you have been made homeless outside of normal working hours, contact the out of hours service on 0300 126 3000.
If you are concerned about someone who may be rough sleeping, you can report it via Street Link. This is a national service that informs local authorities about people sleeping rough in the area and helps to connect them to local services and support.
Under the Duty to Refer, Public authorities and other partners should alert the local authority to anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, where they have consent to do so. Register and refer via Jigsaw ALERT.
What To Do If You’re at Risk of Becoming Homeless
If you are at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days, the local authority must act to either keep you in your current accommodation or find you an alternative solution. This could be some form of temporary accommodation such as a hotel or B&B, whilst permanent accommodation is being sought.
An officer will go through a personal housing plan with you which can take up to two hours to complete. It will provide them with all the information they need to help and support you effectively.
The homelessness register sits separately to the council housing register so ensure your housing officer is aware that you are being made homeless, not just that you want to apply for social housing.
Night Shelters and Community Services
There are several night shelters and community services across the county that provide support to those sleeping rough:
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)
If the weather is extremely cold, special protocols will kick in across the county and emergency local shelters will be open to provide support.