Advice about homelessness

If you’re being asked to leave your home by family or friends or if you’re going through a relationship breakdown, we may be able to:

• give you advice on mediation, counselling and long term housing support (you may need to seek independent legal advice for complex matters).
• help you find other long term housing

You can contact us in the following ways:

If you are unable to pay your rent, mortgage or a deposit for a new property we may be able to:

• give you advice and put you in touch with our money and debt advisor and Citizens Advice
• help you through our Rent Deposit Bond Scheme, which offers a guarantee to your landlord as security instead of a rent deposit
• help you negotiate with your landlord
• give you advice on benefits and Council Tax Reduction

You can contact us in the following ways:

If you’re having problems with your landlord or have been served an eviction notice we can:

• give you advice on your rights as a tenant
• check if your landlord has acted legally in the eviction process
• help you negotiate with your landlord

You can contact us in the following ways:

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, you need to call 999.

If you’re experiencing harassment or violence from a partner, neighbour, landlord or their associate or someone you live with, ongoing support is available from various agencies. Please make sure you provide us with details of how we may contact you safely.

You can contact us in the following ways:

You can find additional help and information about domestic violence and abuse.

If you’re a leaving member of the armed forces or ex forces personnel and are threatened with homelessness it is important you contact us to discuss your situation as early as possible.

It may be that you have more housing options available to you.

You can contact us in the following ways:

You can also contact any of the following organisations for advice and support:

• The Armed Forces Charity (SSAFA)
• The Royal British Legion
• Combat Stress
• Armed forces community covenant

If you’re a patient concerned about where you’ll live when you leave hospital you can speak to a member of staff at the hospital and they can refer you to us under the duty to refer scheme.

Let hospital staff know as soon as possible that you have a housing issue which can include:

• homelessness
• notice given to leave your home
• unsuitable accommodation due to adaptations needed

If you were unable to keep your home whilst in prison or were homeless when you went to prison you can speak to your resettlement officer or offender manager at the prison as soon as you know your release date and they can refer you to us under the duty to refer scheme.

If you’re leaving care, you’ll be able to access housing support from your social worker or personal advisor.

You can find further advice under WSCC housing support or by phoning West Sussex County Council 0330 222 4711

You can contact us in the following ways:

If you’re aged 16 to 21 and have been asked to leave home by your parents or guardians, contact:

• the Youth Homeless Prevention Team at West Sussex County Council by phoning: 0330 222 4711

You can also find further helpful advice under the WSCC Your Space  web pages.

‘Older person’ usually refers to those who are 65 or over. If you require support to remain in your home, care and support is available from West Sussex County Council - Adult Social Care Team.

If you’re worried about losing your home and becoming homeless it is important that you contact us as early as possible to discuss your situation.

You can contact us in the following ways: