Applying as Homeless in Sunderland?

Applying as homeless (16-17 year olds)

Applying as homeless can be confusing at times. Hopefully this guide will explain the things that happen, step by step.

If you are homeless you need the Housing Options Team at Sunderland City Council.

(1)    You can either:  Call them on 0870 731 2963

or

Visit them at the Civic Centre on Burdon Road, Sunderland.

(2)    The Housing Options Team will arrange a time to listen to your problems and try to help you.

(3)   If you have nowhere to sleep tonight, they will carry out a homeless assessment interview.

 You should know:

  • That the interview could take up to an hour.
  • Family and Friends are welcome.
  • You can choose if you want a male or female to interview you.
  • All interviews are in private.
  • Translators/signers are available.

You should take if possible:

  • ID (For example your passport or birth certificate.
  • National Insurance Number
  • Proof of income (benefit books or pay slips)
  • Information on any house you may have rented.
  • ID for Children
  • Proof of your disability/illness/pregnancy

The City Council has 28 days to decide whether it can help you find more long term housing.

(4)    Not everyone who applies as homeless gets offered housing. You will need to prove you are:

  • Homeless
  • A UK/EU Citizen and not an asylum seeker
  • A priority (16-17,  pregnant, leaving care or vulnerable)
  • Local
  • Not homeless because of something which is your fault

(5)    The Housing Options Team find you emergency accommodation:

  • If you have somewhere to stay they will check it is safe
  • If you don’t have somewhere to stay they will arrange a B&B (bed and breakfast)

(6)    The Housing Options Team will ring to check you are safe and make sure you know what is happening. Someone from the Keys Project or Young Parents Team will ring you and meet you for a needs assessment.

The Keys Project or Young Parents Team are there to help you sort out your benefits, travel arrangements to school or college and talk about anything you are worried about.

You should know:

  • The needs assessment takes about an hour.
  • It looks at what type of housing you need
  • You will get a letter telling you where and when to go
  • Your Bus Fares will be paid.

(7)   You will get a letter from The Housing Options Team telling you whether they can offer you long term housing are not.

(8)   You help decide what type of housing you need:

SUPPORTED LODGINGS SUPPORTED ACCOMODATION INDEPENDENT TENANCY
You live in someone’s house who feeds you and there for a chat. You live in a scheme with other people. You get your own room and support workers to talk to 24/7 You live in your own place with someone popping in to check how you are
A new worker meets with you to talk about who you would feel safe living with. A new worker meets you to talk about the schemes you want to move into. A new worker meets you to talk about where you want to live
You visit the people you might stay with and see their homes. You apply to schemes. Your details are passed on to landlords.
When you are comfortable you move in. You have an interview. If you are successful a member of staff will contact you and tell you what will happen next. A landlord decides in you can move in.

(9)   You move into your new place.

Always remember:

  • Keep every piece of paper you are given.
  • Turn up to all your interviews.
  • Keep in regular contact- everyone you meet is trying to help you.