Homelessness FAQ
- If I believe that I am homeless or threatened with homelessness can I get help?
- What is meant by the term eligible for assistance?
- How does Liverpool City Council decide if a person is homeless?
- What is meant by the term 'priority need'?
- How do I know if I have made myself intentionally homeless?
- What is a local connection
- How long will it take the Council to investigate my application?
If I believe that I am homeless or threatened with homelessness can I get help?
Under the 1996 Housing Act (Part VII, Homelessness) a Local Authority must make sure that accommodation is available to a person or persons who it considers:
- are eligible for assistance
- are Homeless or under threat of becoming homeless within 28 days
- are in priority need
- did not intentionally make themselves homeless
- have a local connection with the area
What is meant by the term eligible for assistance?
A person is not eligible for assistance if he or she is:
- a person form abroad who is ineligible for social assistance
- a person from abroad who fails the habitual residence test
- a person from abroad in breach of EC right of residence directive
- a person subject to immigration control.
How does Liverpool City Council decide if a person is homeless?
Homelessness law covers more than just being out on the streets. You will be considered homeless or under the threat of homelessness if:
- you have nowhere to live in the United Kingdom or elsewhere
- you are afraid to go home because someone living there has been or may be violent to you or your family
- you have nowhere you can live together with all your family
- you have somewhere to stay but it is not reasonable for you to do so
- your home is a boat mobile caravan but you have nowhere to put it
- you have been issued a notice to quit, possession order or eviction warrant
- you have been living with friends or relatives and been asked to leave.
What is meant by the term 'priority need'?
The following applicants will be classed as being in priority need:
- Households with dependant children who reside with you or might be reasonably expected to reside with you
- you or a member of your family is pregnant
- you are aged 16 - 17 or a care leaver aged 18, 19 or 20
- you have a serious medical condition either physical or mental which makes you vulnerable
- you are vulnerable due to old age
- you are homeless such as a result of fire, flood or other disaster
- you have had to leave your home because of violence or threats of violence from either someone else living in your home or others.
Please note: If you are not in priority need Liverpool City Council will give you advice and assistance on the range of housing options available to you.
How do I know if I have made myself intentionally homeless?
This means that Liverpool City Council thinks you have:
- chosen to leave a home that you could have stayed in or
- it was your fault that you lost your home or
- you unreasonably failed to take up accommodation that was available to you.
This would apply if:
- you chose to sell your home when there was no risk of losing it
- you lost your home because of wilful and persistent refusal to pay rent or mortgage payments
- you have neglected your affairs having disregarded advice from a qualified person
- you voluntary gave up adequate accommodation in this country or abroad without first having found secure accommodation to move into when it would have been reasonable for you to stay there
- you have been evicted for anti-social behaviour.
What is a local connection
The council will accept you as having a local connection if:
- you live or have lived in Liverpool for some time (usually six months in the last year or three years in the last five).
- you have a permanent job in the area.
- you have a close relative who has lived in the area for five years.
How long will it take the Council to investigate my application?
The Homeless Service will complete the investigative work as quickly as possible. Investigation work will normally be completed within 28 days at which point you will be sent a letter giving details of the decision made, and if this decision is unfavourable, the reasons for this.
There is an opportunity to appeal against the Council's decision and you should write to the Council within twenty one days of being notified of the decision. It is important you state the reasons why you wish to appeal.
There are a number of ways you can contact the Housing Options Service:
E-mail: housingoptionsservice@liverpool.gov.uk
Post: Liverpool City Council,
Housing Options Service,
PO Box 88
Municipal Buildings,
Dale St,
Liverpool.
L2 2DH
Phone: 0151 233 3800 Fax: 0151 207 5009