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What help can I get from the council?
The level of help available to you depends on whether you pass the five test of homelessness. You must be :
- Eligible for assistance
- Found to be legally homeless
- In priority need
- Unintentionally homeless
- Have a local connection
If you pass all the above tests the council will consider if you have a local connection. This means you, or someone in your household: lives or has lived in the area for some time; has a job in the area; has a close relative e.g. a parent, adult child you wish to live near who has lived in the area for some time; needs to live in the area for special reasons)
If the council assesses that you do not have a local connection they may decide that a different council should take responsibility. If this happens you should seek help from one of the agencies listed on this website.
If you have successfully passed the five tests of homelessness the council has to offer you accommodation immediately. Depending on availability of accommodation in the area you may have to stay in temporary accommodation until suitable longer-term accommodation becomes available
The levels of service the Council Housing Department can offer are:
- Advice and assistance only
This involves giving advice on the housing options available to you, referring you to another agency for specialist advice or helping you to apply to be on the council's housing register.
- Temporary accommodation plus advice and assistance
This involves providing you with temporary accommodation long enough for you to find somewhere else to live.
- Settled accommodation
This is where the council have to arrange suitable accommodation for you
For help and information contact:
Housing Options ServiceSouth Tyneside Council
Central Library
Prince Georg Square
South Shields
NE33 2PE
Telephone: 0191 424 6456
homelessness@southtyneside.gov.uk
Out of Hours Emergencies
0800 694 6900 |
