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Homelessness

Please use the links below to jump to the section to you require, or scroll down this page to view the sections in order.

Housing Services
How we can help
Entitlement
Priority Need
Intentionally Homeless
How the Council can help
Links
Contact Details
Documents

Housing Services

Oswestry Borough Council's Housing Service helps people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. Some homeless people qualify for emergency accommodation and rehousing.

The law says Oswestry Borough Council has to advise all homeless people, but it doesn't stop there. We may also have to find housing for homeless people who don't have children but are still vulnerable in some way. This could apply if you have a disability, or are under 18 or over 60 years old, have ill health, or are at risk in other ways if you become homeless.

If you are homeless and may be vulnerable we will offer you a homelessness interview. We have to ask questions so that we can help you. We also have to check to make sure you have not done something deliberately that made you homeless. If you have an interview we will tell you in writing what we are doing. You can appeal against any decision we make.

How we can help

The amount of help and advice given will depend on your own personal circumstances. Everyone has the right to information and advice that can help them find a home.

You may be offered any of the following types of advice:

• Mortgage or rent arrears advice
• Money and benefits advice
• Tenancy advice
• Housing mediation

You may also be advised to see a solicitor for more detailed advice.

If you would like information on how to apply to the Housing Register please see our Housing Allocations pages.

Entitlement

If you are entitled to more help and advice from the Council you will be offered an appointment with a Housing Officer. When you come to the Council for your appointment, please bring with you as many of the following documents as possible:

• Court papers
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of identification for each member of your household
• Proof of pregnancy
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce papers
• Proof of income
• Copy of a Notice To Quit

These documents will be used to consider whether you are homeless because:

• You do not have the right to live in any accommodation
• You cannot be expected to stay in your home (e.g. because of the threat of violence)

You will be considered to be threatened with homelessness if you are going to lose the right to stay in your home within 28 days (e.g. if you have a possession order from the court asking you to leave your home).

Priority Need

If the Council considers you to be in priority need for accommodation you will be given temporary accommodation until the Council finds out why you have lost your home.
You will be considered in priority need for accommodation, if:

• You have dependent children who live with you on a permanent basis
• You or a member of your household is pregnant
• You or a member of your household are vulnerable
• You are unable to stay in your present home because of a fire or flood
• You are fleeing from domestic violence / violence
• You are 16 or 17 years old
• You are between 18 and 21 years old and are leaving care
• You are vulnerable as a result of being looked after, accommodated or fostered
• You are vulnerable as a result of being in the armed forces
• You are vulnerable as a result of being in prison
• You are vulnerable as a result of no longer living in a home where there was violence / or the threat of violence

Intentionally Homeless

If the Council finds that you did something that led to the loss of your home or did not do something to stop you losing your home, you may be considered intentionally homeless (this may not be the home you have just lost). For example:

• Leaving your home before you legally had to
• Not paying your rent or mortgage, even though your income could cover it.
• Not following advice given to you by a qualified advisor
• Not following advice given to you by the Council to help you find other accommodation

If you are intentionally homeless the Council can only offer you accommodation for a reasonable time, usually 28 days. This is so that you have time to find another place to live. You will still be offered advice and information to find a new home.

How the Council can help

Once you are found to be eligible, homeless, in priority need, not intentionally homeless and there is no other accommodation you can go to, the Council will help you to find somewhere to live until an offer of accommodation can be made through the Housing Register ('waiting list').  We will write to you and tell you our decision within 33 working days; if you do not agree with the Council's decision you can ask for it to be reviewed.

You could also try our Housing Advice page for other organisations that might be able to help you.

If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances with a member of the Housing Team, please contact us for help and advice on:

• Budgeting and rent / mortgage arrears
• Claiming benefits or providing referrals to Citizens Advice Shropshire
• Tackling illegal evictions
• The housing options available to you, for both Council housing and privately rented housing
• Other sources of information and advice, e.g. referrals to voluntary and statutory organisations
• Temporary accommodation within the Borough
• Disrepair

Contact Details

Oswestry Borough Council
Housing Services
Alexandra Road
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 1LU

Tel: 01691 677242 / 01691 677292
Fax: 01691 653685
Email: housing@oswestry-bc.gov.uk