We will consider your application under the Housing Act 1996, Part V11, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002. This broadly means that we have a legal duty to make certain enquires and tell you what we can do for you after that.

We need to find if:

• You are legally homeless or threatened with homelessness within the next 28 days
• You are eligible for accommodation or assistance under the law on homelessness We consider that you have a priority need as set out in law, e.g. you have young children, are pregnant or have a serious medical condition, and
• Your homelessness is your own fault – for example, if you failed to pay your rent or mortgage when you had the money to do so, or left your accommodation before you legally had to, you may be intentionally homeless.

We may also consider:

• If you have a local connection with South Staffordshire or if another council should be helping you. Your caseworker will explain the process to you. In summary, he or she needs to confirm that you:
• Are homeless (including the reasons why)
• Are eligible for assistance
• Are in priority need
• Not intentionally homeless, and in most cases
• Have a local connection.

You must tell us the truth and give us all the information we need. To protect people who are genuinely homeless, we will take legal action against you if you don’t do this.

Your caseworker will ask you to sign your application form authorising us to make necessary enquires. For example, for information about your circumstances we may need to contact:

• Doctors
• Building Societies
• Landlords
• Solicitors
• The Home Office
• Other agencies

We will also need to check that you have lived at the previous addresses that you have given us.

Your caseworker will need to see some papers. These could include:

• Proof of your identity
• Your tenancy agreement
• A notice to quit
• Court eviction papers
• Home Office papers
• Full birth certificate
• Proof of Pregnancy
• Child benefit books
• Medical papers
• Financial Statements

You should also tell your caseworker:

• If you have any serious medical problems, and
• If there are any areas where it would be dangerous for you to live.

We will need to confirm this and we may need to ask other people such as your doctor or the police. We will assess your case as quickly as possible. We will try to let you know how your case is progressing, but some cases can take longer to assess than others. Please feel free to phone your case officer, who will be happy to update you on progress.

Links

Frequently asked questions

Contact

Housing Operations

Telephone: (01902) 696507 / 696509

Email: homes@sstaffs.gov.uk

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