What is temporary accommodation?
Temporary accommodation is available for families who become
homeless & are referred by their Housing Options Officer after
a homeless assessment. If you have a pet or your own furniture,
please discuss this with your Housing Options
Officer.
What happens if I am referred to temporary
accommodation?
We will contact you with the address where you will be living
& a member of staff will complete some paperwork to obtain
basic information to help support you & your family. This may
include assistance with welfare benefit forms or budgeting.
Temporary accommodation can include additional charges such as
heating & water rates that are not covered by Housing Benefit,
and furniture charges which you will have to pay if you are not in
receipt of Housing Benefit.
Our staff will help you settle in & explain any practical
issues. There will be a lot of information at first - don't worry,
we're here to answer questions.
Will I receive support whilst in temporary
accommodation?
Yes! You will be assigned a support worker who will talk with
you confidentially about your current situation & help you to
devise a plan to improve things where necessary.
Your support worker will visit you regularly in your home to
discuss the progress of your personal goals. This will help you
feel in control of your own life & your own decisions. If we
are unable to help directly, we will refer you to an appropriate
agency that will be able to help you.
What else does the service offer?
We have a full programme of events which occur throughout the
year, as well as monthly residents meetings. Other agencies such as
Sure Start, Next Step, and the Credit Union are invited to these
meetings and run sessions in our conservatory. Guest speakers offer
advice on budgeting, parenting skills, training & employment,
as well as confidence building.
Regular events include a Summer Barbeque, Halloween party,
Bonfire Party, Christmas Party & an Easter Fun Day. We also
organise additional trips during the year which have recently
included a visit to Chester Zoo. The conservatory is also used for
other activities including arts & crafts and reading with your
children.
Moving on…
How long you will have to wait for a permanent property depends
on your individual circumstances and requirements. However, your
support worker will explain our Choice Based Lettings and bidding
system to ensure that you maximise your opportunities of being
re-housed. You will also receive guidance on how to apply to
other Housing Associations as well as information on the private
rented sector.
The more flexible you are about your choice of area &
property type, the quicker you are likely to be re-housed.