Homelessness

Homelessness is still one of the most serious problems facing housing authorities today.

The Council has reviewed homelessness and drawn up a Homelessness Strategy to tackle and prevent it.

Homelessness Strategy  ( pdf 2.5mb)

Homelessness Review Document  ( pdf 561kb)

Homelessness Review Update  ( pdf 430kb)

The legislation required that every local authority (in England and Wales) must ensure that advice and information about homelessness, and the prevention of homelessness, is available free of charge to any person in their district. Recent studies suggest that many homeless applicants do not seek advice before presenting as homeless to the local authority yet timely advice can prevent the loss of a home or help in finding alternative accommodation.

Dealing with homelessness is expensive in both financial and social terms so it is crucial to ensure that homelessness services are economic, efficient, effective and equitable.

The Council has a duty under the Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002 to make sure you have somewhere to live if:

• You qualify to receive assistance and
• You are homeless and
• You are in priority need and
• You did not become homeless intentionally and
• You have a local connection with the City 

You will still receive some advice and assistance in finding accommodation even if you do not meet all of the above criteria.

Making a Homeless Application
If you are homeless you should approach the Housing Options Team at the Civic Centre and they will help you complete a homeless application form.

Remember get advice as soon as you think you may have to leave your present home. Even if you should become homeless, the sooner you contact us the better.

Assessing your Application
In assessing your homeless application the Council will consider 5 questions.

Question 1

Are you eligible to receive assistance?
You will be automatically eligible for assistance if you are:

• A British Citizen, or
• A Citizen of a foreign country that has unrestricted permission to live in the United Kingdom for an unlimited period of time.
• A recognised refugee or other class of person specified as eligible by the Secretary of State

Question 2

Are you homeless?
You could be considered to be homeless if for example

• You have no accommodation anywhere in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

This includes circumstance where;

• You have somewhere to live but are unable to get into the property.
• You have somewhere to live but you are likely to face domestic violence if you stay there, or
• If it is likely that you will become homeless within 28 days.

This includes circumstances where;

• You have been issued with a court order or legal notice from you landlord requiring you to leave your home.

Question 3

Are you in priority need?
You are in priority need if:

• You are pregnant
• You are responsible for dependent children
• You are homeless as a result of an emergency such as a fire/flood or other disaster
• You are aged 16 or 17, unless you have been the responsibility of social services and have been in care
• You are aged 18 - 20 and used to be in care.

You may also be in priority need if you are vulnerable as a result of:

• Having been in care when younger but are now aged over 21
• Having been a member of the armed forces
• Having been in prison or remanded in custody
• Having to leave your home because of violence/threats of violence from another person
• You age, disability or other special reason.

If, during the initial assessment you are found to be in priority need then we will offer to arrange temporary accommodation for you.

Question 4

Are you intentionally homeless?
The Council may consider you to be intentionally homeless if:

• You have deliberately given up a home you could have continued to live in, or
• You have deliberately done something or failed to do something which you knew would result in the loss of your home, and it would have otherwise been reasonable for you to have stayed in your home and where a home was available for you to live in.
• You have entered into an arrangement under which you are required to leave your home and the purpose of the arrangement is to take advantage of the services available to you as a homeless person.
• You have failed to take up accommodation which was available to you despite having been given advice and assistance to secure such accommodation.

Question 5

Do you have a local connection with the City of Sunderland?
You are considered to have a local connection if:

• You have lived within the City of Sunderland for six of the past twelve months or three of the past five years, or
• You have a permanent job in the City of Sunderland, or
• You have a close relative (parent, brother, sister, son or daughter) who has lived in the City for the last five years, or
• You have a "special connection" with the City of Sunderland, for example you have been serving in HM Forces on discharge would like to return to the area in which you were brought up.

Reaching a Decision
The Council aim to investigate the circumstances of your homeless application, make a decision on your case and notify you in writing within 33 working days.

Your Right to Request a Review
If you disagree with the outcome of your homeless application you have the right to request a review of the decision made.

A review request must be made within 21 days of receiving a decision on your application.

Providing Accommodation

Temporary Accommodation
If you are considered to be homeless and in priority need, the Council will offer you temporary accommodation until a decision can be reached on your homeless application.

The temporary accommodation offered may be in a purpose built scheme managed by an RSL, or in a private sector bed and breakfast establishment.

Your Housing Options
In finding more settled accommodation for you the Council will consider a range of alternatives including;

• Private Rented Sector homes available for rent through a private landlord
• Other Registered Social Landlord property

Private Rented Sector Property

• If there is accommodation available in the private rented sector Regeneration and Housing will provide you advice and assistance to help you secure a tenancy with a private landlord

Registered Social Landlord  Property

• The Council will put your name forward (or nominate you) for an offer of a registered social landlord property.

You are also encouraged to make a direct application to a number of housing associations in order to increase your opportunities to be housed permanently.

If you require advice please call 0800 731 2963, 24 hours a day.

Our Service Standards will tell you what you can expect from us.

Contact us

Public Register of Social Landlords

A guide to Homelessness and Housing Advice in Sunderland (160 kb)