Homelessness FAQs

Read on for more information on the most commonly asked questions.

Are you homeless?

You do not have to be sleeping on the streets to be homeless. A person is homeless if they:

• have nowhere to live;
• have been taken to court by their landlord or mortgage lender and the court has said they must leave;
• have been living with friends or relatives who have asked them to leave;
• are living in a home that is unfit for habitation owing to its condition or lack of services.

If you are having difficulties where you are living and you think you may become homeless you should contact the homeless unit and get advice.

If you are leaving hospital or prison, you should ask the hospital social worker or probation officer to contact the homeless unit.

What should you do if you think you are going to be homeless?

If you are threatened with homelessness please contact the homeless unit for advice about whether it can be prevented.  

The homeless unit will look for ways to stop you from becoming homeless; they will find the best housing option to suit your needs.

What will the council do if I apply as homeless?

A Homeless Person’s Officer (often referred to as your caseworker) will interview you and will ask you about your situation in great detail. The first interview may last between one and two hours.

The council will check that:

• you are eligible;
• you are or soon to become homeless;
• you are in one of the priority need groups.

Homeless appointments and emergency interviews

The homeless person’s team operates a strict appointment system. In times of high demand there is sometimes a two or three week wait for an appointment.

If you are going to be homeless before an appointment is available and you are likely to be in priority need we may be able to see you as an emergency case.

What should I bring with me to the first interview with a Homeless Person’s Officer?

When you come into the Council Offices for your homelessness interview, please bring with you:

• proof of your homelessness (i.e court order, eviction notice from friends/family)
• proof of income (i.e. wage slips, benefits, child benefits)
• proof of ID (i.e passport, driving licence)
• proof of residence (i.e. a utility bill in your name)
• proof of any benefit received (i.e. child benefit/housing benefit etc)
• proof of your right to remain in the UK  (if applicable)
• Full birth certificates for any children

What if I become homeless when you are closed?

The council provides an emergency service outside our open office hours. If you become homeless outside office hours please phone the council’s Emergency Switchboard.

What is “eligibility”?

You have to be “eligible” to be entitled to any housing from the council.  Eligibility is a legal definition, it refers to your Right to Remain in the UK and your right to access public funds. You may not be eligible for assistance if you are:

• an asylum seeker;
• from a foreign country;
• an illegal immigrant;
• a UK citizen who has been living abroad.

Eligibility is a very complicated issue, if you want to know more about it you can telephone our homeless unit.

Please note: You must be eligible for assistance in order to make a homelessness application.

What is “priority need” for a homeless person

"Priority Need" is also a legal definition. You are in priority need if:

• you are responsible for dependent children, usually those under 16yrs or under 19yrs if in full time education;
• you or your partner is pregnant;
• you are homeless as a result of an emergency such as a fire or flood or other disaster;
• you are suffering from mental illness, disabled or vulnerable for another reason.

If you are homeless and in a priority need group, the council will:

• find you somewhere to stay while we investigate the circumstances of your homelessness;
• find somewhere permanent for you to live if you did not deliberately make yourself homeless and we have not been able to prevent you becoming homeless.

What if I don't like the property that the council offers me?

If you feel the accommodation offered to you is unsuitable you must put your reasons in writing and contact the homeless unit. If the offer is deemed to be reasonable and you refuse the accommodation the council may not assist you any more.

If you are unhappy regarding an offer of accommodation that has been made to you, it is important that you contact the homeless unit before you refuse it.

What if I am not "priority need"?

If the council decides you are not in priority need, you will be offered advice and assistance to try to prevent you becoming homeless. At this time, you may wish to apply to Hertsmere Borough Councils housing register,  further information on this can be found at housing register frequently asked questions.

What is “intentionally homeless"?

The council may decide that you have made yourself homeless if it is found that:

• you chose to leave a property that you could have stayed in;
• it was you fault that you lost your home;
• you arranged to be made homeless to take advantage of the system.

If you are found to be intentionally homeless the council will not have a duty to provide you with permanent accommodation. You will be given a limited time in temporary accommodation to give you the opportunity to find somewhere else to live.

What is a “local connection” and have I got one with Hertsmere?

You are likely to have a local connection with Hertsmere if:

• you have lived within this borough by choice for six out of the last 12 months, or
• you have lived within this borough by choice for three of the last five years, or
• you have a permanent job based in this borough, or
• you have close family who have lived a long time in this borough (i.e parents or siblings).

If you have spent time in the armed forces, college, prison, hospital or special accommodation such as mother and child home or a refuge, this will not usually count as a local connection.

What will the council do if I do not have a "local connection" with the area?

If Hertsmere Borough Council decides that you are homeless, in priority need and are not intentionally homeless but you do not have a local connection with this area, then the council that you do have a local connection with will be contacted in order to help you.

If you have more that one local connection, we will ask you which area you would prefer to live in before we contact another council to help you.

If you have no local connection with any council then the first council you approach has the duty to offer advice and assistance.

If you are fleeing domestic violence you do not need to have a local connection.

What if I disagree with the councils decision?

If you are not happy with the decison taken on your application, you have a right to review within 21 days of being notified of the decision. It is advisable to put your request in writing, indicating the grounds for the review and send it to the homeless unit.