Homelessness - Stirling CAB

Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Am I Homeless?

Under the terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 you are legally
considered homeless if you meet ANY of the following:

 Have no accommodation both inside and outside the UK.
 You have accommodation but cannot access it safely.
 Your accommodation is overcrowded and occupation is

potentially harmful to health.
 You are threatened with violence by others living and/or

previously lived with you.
 You are living in temporary accommodation provided by a local

authority.
If you are likely to become homeless (under any of the above
criteria) within two months then you are considered as being
threatened with homelessness.

Where can I get help?

Your local authority is legally obliged to assist you. If you are
homeless or threatened with homelessness you should approach
them as soon as possible.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Will I Qualify For Help?

Before applying to the local council you should check to see if you
qualify for support. If you are unsure you should still apply anyway
as it may be beneficial to you.

When processing homelessness applications local councils will
consider the following stages to decide if you qualify:

Step 1: Legality

Using the criteria listed at the beginning of this leaflet the council
will determine if you legally qualify as homeless.

Step 2: Are you intentionally homeless

Under the 1987 Housing (Scotland) Act you are deemed
intentionally homeless if you meet any of the following:

 You fail to do or deliberately do something which results in the
loss of accommodation, i.e. failure/refusal to pay rent of a
private property.

 Your accommodation was of a suitable standard for continued
occupation.

 You were aware your actions would result in you becoming
homeless.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Will I Qualify For Help?

Step 3: Local Connection

Local councils are allowed to investigate if an applicant has a ‘local
connection’ to the area where they are applying. A local connection
is defined as ANY of the following:

 You are/were a resident of the area by your own choice for 6
of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years.

 You are employed or starting employment in the area.
 You have a family connection in the area.
 You served in the armed forces within the area.
 You have special circumstances, i.e. children looked after by

local authority, access to schools, hospitals, etc.
If you have local connections in more than one area you can apply
to all relevant local authorities.

The following are NOT considered as a local connection:

 You lived in the area for statutory reasons, i.e. as an inmate in
a prison, psychiatric hospital, etc.

 You spent time in short term accommodation, a hostel or
accommodation provided by National Asylum Support Service.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Applying: What’s Involved?

The following stages outline the process of applying for council
housing. Should you be unsure about any stage, Stirling Citizens
Advice Bureau can assist you.

Stage 1: Making Contact

Contact the Homelessness Team of Stirling Council. This can be
done by any of the following:

In Person: Opening Hours at Springkerse House are between 9am
and 5pm weekdays.

Phone: Interviews with the homelessness unit can be arranged over
the phone:

01786 432400 (Office Hours)
0845 277 7000 (Out of Hours)

Letter: Interviews can be arranged through a letter to the council. It
is recommended you seek advice from the CAB on what to include.

Stage 2: Preparation for your Interview

When you are invited for an interview you should take the
following documents with you as evidence to support your
application:

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Applying: What’s Involved?

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 Proof of where you currently live, where you have lived over
the last few years and why you have to leave your current
accommodation.

 Proof that you have children or vulnerable individuals in your
household if relevant.

 Proof of local connection.

 Any other relevant documents or details.

Stage 3: The Interview

If you have scheduled an appointment you should not have to wait
long to be seen, however if you have no appointment be prepared
to wait a while.

You are entitled to the following:

 With advanced notice your interview can be conducted at your
current address.

 You are allowed to bring someone with you for support.
 If you have hearing difficulties or English is not your first

language you can request the assistance of an interpreter.
 You may request an interviewer of the same gender.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

After Your Interview

All applications are investigated fully. The council will consider your
application using the criteria outlined previously.

Once they have made their decision you will be informed in writing.

If you do not have a local connection to Stirling the council may
refer you to another local authority where you do have one (THIS
WILL NOT HAPPEN WHERE THERE IS A RISK OF DOMESTIC ABUSE).

Temporary Accommodation:

Whilst your application is being processed the council may be able
to provide you with temporary accommodation:

 Where possible a furnished council owned property will be
offered whilst you await their decision.

 Bed and Breakfast accommodation will only be offered should
no other accommodation be available. In the case of families
with children or pregnant women, Bed and Breakfast
accommodation will only be offered as a very last resort.

 Pets can only be taken into temporary accommodation if it is
suitable for them. You cannot take pets into bed and breakfast
or hostel accommodation. If you cannot take your pets, animal
welfare organisations can provide assistance. (See useful
contacts section at end!)

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Application Outcomes

Successful Applications:

If you satisfy the criteria Stirling Council is legally obliged to provide
you with accommodation and will do the following:

 Provide you with 2 offers of council housing. In making 2 offers
the council have fulfilled their obligations and will make no
more.

 The council will do their utmost to find accommodation which
suits your needs and preferences. Yet you must remember that
housing is limited and they may be unable to satisfy all your
needs.

If you are living in temporary accommodation provided by the
council, you must vacate it immediately.

Unsuccessful Applications:

When you are informed of the council’s decision they will provide
you with details should you want the decision reviewed:

 Should you wish a review you must apply within 21 days (3
weeks) of receiving your decision letter. To ensure your appeal
is handled fairly and impartially, a senior housing officer not
involved in the original application will review the case and
make the final decision.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Application Outcomes

 You will be informed of the decision in writing.

If you are declared intentionally homeless:

 The council will advise and assist you in finding
accommodation.

 If you are living in temporary accommodation provided by the
council you may remain there for a short time after the
decision is made.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Appeals And Further Action

If you are unhappy with the decision of the review you may appeal
against it. Specialist advice should be sought before taking further
action. Stirling CAB can advise you on this.

Before seeking any advice from external agencies, you should
follow the council’s complaints procedure. It this proves
unsuccessful the following options can be considered:

 If you believe that the council has acted unlawfully, i.e. not
fulfilled its statutory obligations you may seek judicial review.

 If you believe that proper procedures set out by the Scottish
Government were not followed by the council an investigation
can be conducted by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Useful Contact Information

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Stirling Perth

The Norman MacEwan Centre 01738 450580

3 Cameronian Street Falkirk
Stirling FK8 2DX 01324 692070
Advice Line: 01786 470239

Clackmannanshire

01259 723880

Homeless Teams

Stirling Council Clackmannanshire Council

Homelessness Team 01259 452397

Springkerse House Falkirk Accommodation
5 Springkerse Road Resource Centre

Stirling FK7 7SN 0800 587 4440
(during office hours) Perth and Kinross Council
01786 432400 01738 474500
(24 hours) 0845 277 7000

Stirling District CAB Springkerse House

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Useful Contact Information

Stirling Council Social Work Department

For: Main Number
(9am - 5pm)
 Support for Families 01786 471177
 Community Care Emergency Duty Team
 Criminal Justice (out of hours)

01786 470500

Debt Advice

Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau Stirling Council Money Advice

01786 470239 Service

0845 277 7000

National Debt Line
0808 808 4000

Jobcentre Plus Benefits Advice
0800 055 6688
Working Tax Credit
0845 300 3900

Jobseekers Allowance
Income Support (Aberdeen)
0845 608 8749

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Useful Contact Information

Food and Medical Help

Stirling Salvation Army Destiny Angels
Drip Road 01786 448923 0333 900 0909
Monday to Friday Or text ‘HELP’ to
3.00 – 5.00pm 07533 427 700

Falkirk Salvation Army NHS24 Out of Hours GP Services
01324 627425 08454 242424

Alloa North Church
01259 210403

Help Lines and Specialist Services

Samaritans Open Secret
08457 90 90 90 Support for adult survivors of sexual abuse
01786 448504

Cross Line SignPost
0845 658 0045 Support and direction for drug and alcohol
misuse
0845 673 1774

Shelter The Bridge
0808 800 4444 Housing Advice for 16-25 year olds
01786 448633

Alcohol Support and Counselling Stirling Women’s Aid
01786 450721 01786 470897
0800 027 1234 (helpline)

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Useful Contact Information

Pet Services and Support

Pet Fostering Service Scotland (PFSS)
PO Box 6
Callander
FK17 8ZU
0844 811 9909

Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SSPCA)
0300 099 9999

Cat Protection League: Clackmannanshire and Stirling Branch
01259 720555

Dogs Trust Re-Homing Centre Glasgow
0141 773 5130

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Homelessness

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd www.stirlingcab.org.uk

Contact Us

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd

Free, Confidential, Impartial, Independent.

Open 10am – 3pm
Mon – Thurs (drop in services)
Telephone Advice (same times)

01786 470239

Or e-mail
[email protected]

The Norman MacEwan Centre
3 Cameronian Street
Stirling FK8 2DX

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