Homelessness- who can help??

alwaysskint96

The scenerio is Single male age 23. Has to move ut of private rented accom on Mon as it has been sold. Literally has nowhere to stay- and nobody seems to be able to help. Currently on JSA but starting job after Easter. Has no money for deposit or rent up front- not going to get deposit back on p[revious place as housing benefit wouldnt pay the full amount- so there has been a shortfall of £100 a month for last 3 months as he couldnt afford to pay it on JSA

So on Monday evening he literally will have nowhere to sleep- yet nobody seems to care

Ive been searching the net to see if I can find it but there doesnt seem to be any plae that will asisst him. Anyone know of anywhere that could help?

cassy

im no expert but does this person not have any family or friends that can put him up for a night or two while he sorts something,

try your local council, hostels etc

wolfehouse

you can call shelter and ask what the arrangements are in your local area
they should be able to tell you your options.
http://www.homelesspages.org.uk/faqs/faqs.asp?FAQ_ID=1

there is a government scheme to help people with the deposit- the citizens advice will have info about this.

alwaysskint96

cassy wrote: »

im no expert but does this person not have any family or friends that can put him up for a night or two while he sorts something,

try your local council, hostels etc

Not within 200 odd miles. Council say they dont have to do anything, cant actually find any local hostels. Shelter helpline told him to go to a Rescource Centre- who then said that they couldnt help

TBH even a night or 2 isnt much help- he will have to wait a month for pay once the new job starts, and even renting a room needs around a £600 deposit plus rent in advance- which would be more than a months wages

specialK

Try your nearest housing association. My local one has a duty to actively seek accomadation for anyone threatened with homelessness in the last 30 days before coming homeless. This means they should help straight away.

HTH, good luck.

thinkginge

if he is on jsa, he may be entitled to a crisis loan from the dss. they can also help with upfront deposits on flats etc. i kno as my friend had to go down this route

tw1nklestar

i know this does not help in retrospect but i am sure as soon as you get the notice to quit from the LL in writing you should take it to the council offices for help for housing.. This might be the best bet for monday morning or search the web for emergency housing as I know there are lots of emergency links

mirrorimage0

def council will put him in hostel even if he has to sit down there all down as long as he has inwriting from tenancy that he has to leave

UglyBetty

"Has no money for deposit or rent up front- not going to get deposit back on p[revious place as housing benefit wouldnt pay the full amount- so there has been a shortfall of £100 a month for last 3 months as he couldnt afford to pay it on JSA"

He has not been paying all of the rent for the last three months and owes the landlord £300, so the situation should not come as a suprise to him. The council don't have a responsibility to house him unless he comes within the 'vulnerable person' category (specific criteria available from your local council). He could always get a job or even a 'live in' job until he can sort out accomodation that he can afford.

Savvy_Sue

mirrorimage0 wrote: »

def council will put him in hostel even if he has to sit down there all down as long as he has inwriting from tenancy that he has to leave

I am not sure that they HAVE to put him in a hostel: they can give him a list of hostels and B&Bs, but unless he is classed as vulnerable (their criteria) they have no DUTY to house him.

The Deposit Bond scheme works in different ways in different places, I believe, but it would be worth finding out how it works in his area.

Housing associations are a good idea. Also as he's under 25 it would be worth seeing if there is a local Foyer. And consider YMCA and similar, some are very supportive of young people.

G-G_4

I might get slated for saying this.. but - can he not get a job in a factory on minimum wage? at least it would be £800 a month ish, enough to support himself.

I know it won't help his current position now, but it will help him in the future..

Good Luck x