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If you have nowhere to live permanently, you can make a homeless application to the Housing Executive. You are homeless if you're staying temporarily with friends or family, or living in a hostel or B&B, or sleeping on the street.
The Housing Executive has a legal duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it. The Housing Executive may be able to find you a place to stay temporarily, and you could be entitled to a permanent home.
Who can make a homeless application?
You don't have to be sleeping on the street to get help from the Housing Executive. If you don't have a safe and permanent home, you will still be classed as homeless. For example, you may be sleeping on a friend's sofa or staying with relatives. You can be homeless if you are still living at home, but need to move out because of violence, abuse or you don't feel safe at home any more.
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How do I make a homeless application?
To make a homeless application contact your local Housing Executive District Office. If the office is closed, telephone an emergency number for help.
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What if I'm told I can't apply?
The Housing Executive has to accept your application - don't let them turn you away at the door.
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Will I get somewhere to stay?
You will only get somewhere to stay if you pass some of the homelessness tests. You will only be entitled to temporary accommodation if the Housing Executive thinks that you are homeless and that you may be in priority need.
The Housing Executive has a legal duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.
The tests for homelessness are complicated, there are four tests you will need to pass before you are considered eligible for a permanent home:
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What happens if I pass the Housing Executive's tests?
The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days.
If you pass all the tests, the Housing Executive will offer you a tenancy. This could be a Housing Executive or housing association house or flat.
You may have to wait before you can move into your new home, but you will be able to stay in your temporary accommodation until your permanent accommodation is arranged.
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What happens if I don't pass the tests?
The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days. If the decision is negative, the letter must give reasons why the Housing Executive believes you didn't meet the tests for homelessness. You should be able to stay in temporary accommodation for another 28 days if the Housing Executive decides that you are intentionally homeless.
If the Housing Executive decides that you are not homeless on or after 1 December 2010 you have a statutory right to have this decision reviewed. If the review is unsuccesful you may also be able to have your case heard on appeal by a County Court.
The new system for challenging homelessness decisions is quite complex. It is important that you seek advice from a specialist agency, such as Housing Rights Service, before proceeding with this option. There are strict legal time limits in place so, if you want to challenge the decision, you should get advice immediately.
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Can social services help me?
Social services usually refers to statutory agencies who are by law responsible for the care, protection, health and well being of vulnerable people, including children and young people.
Social services is often used to describe the health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland. Health and social care trusts have some responsiblity for the welfare of people with disabilities, pensioners, children and young people. This includes caring for people at home, in hospitals, in residential homes and children and young people who live with foster parents.
The Housing Executive may refer you to social services if:
- it doesn't have a duty to help you but believes social services has a duty,
- it does have a duty to help you but believes social services can offer you better help.
The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive should have a procedure to ensure that you aren't passed continously between the Housing Executive and social services, with no statutory organisation taking responsibility for your case. However, if you think this is happening to you, speak to a housing adviser immediately.
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Who can social services help?
Social services may be able to help you if you are homeless and are:
- aged under 18,
- responsible for dependent children,
- aged under 21 and have been in care,
- ill, or have physical or mental health needs that are not being met.
The type of help social services provide can vary because it is not defined in law. They might:
- help you to raise money for a deposit on a private rented place,
- provide other financial support.
If you need help dealing with social services, talk to an adviser at an advice centre, Citizens Advice Bureau or at a youth information agency.
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What if the Housing Executive won't help me?
The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. If the Housing Executive won't help you or you are finding it difficult to deal with your District Office, contact an advice agency.
The Housing Executive may not be offering you the help the law says you should get. An adviser will be able to look at your situation and help you receive what you're entitled to.
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