Local Authorities have their own policies and procedures while undertaking Welsh Legislation around homeless services.
The following statements are common misconceptions surrounding presenting as homeless to a Local Authority.
If you present as homeless, you’ll jump to the top of the social housing waiting list and be offered a social property from the Local Authority or a Housing Association False
No circumstance will mean you’re offered social housing property immediately. A triage and assessments will be carried out and applicants will also be required to register for Social Housing if they have not done so already. For Example: Depending on the Local Authority Social Housing Register Applications may be banded 1-4 or A=D. Due to the housing crisis, priority bands are likely to have a waiting list of anywhere between 12 and 30 months, much longer for the other bands. Waiting list times depend on many things including selected areas/towns within a County, size of the required property, or any adaptions required. Currently some counties in Wales have over 1,000 active applications waiting for a Social Housing.
You will be placed an a chalet/static holiday home while waiting for Social Housing False
Chalets and Static Caravans / Holiday Homes are not used for Temporary Accommodation by the majority of Authorities. The establishments used as Temporary Accommodation will meet the needs, requirements, and standards set by Welsh Government. Places are limited and must be utilised in the best way to support as many citizens and families as possible. If not purpose built homeless facilities/hostels, Authorities will make alternative arrangements, such as B&B/Hotel facilities.
If you need to access Temporary Accommodation, the Local Authority must house you with your pets False
Welsh Homeless Guidance, states an Authority must try to house families with pets, together. In reality the majority of Emergency and Temporary Accommodation is in the private sector or has shared facilities, and an Authority has no control over wether private businesses allow pets to reside in their premises. It is advisable to arrange a home with family/friends or a shelter/kennel/cattery for your pet(s) as its unlikely the will be able to reside in temporary accommodation.
The Authority will find you a Private Rented Sector Property, you just need to wait False
A Local Authority should support you in looking for a home in the Private Rented Sector and may be able to offer financial support depending on your financial circumstances, however you must work towards this goal yourself. Failure to do so could result in any DUTIES an Authority holds towards you ending, due in lack of engagement, resulting in any support being withdrawn.
You don’t need to notify the DWP/UC about a change in circumstance False
Withholding a change in circumstance from the DWP/UC could result in sanctions, a reduction/repayment of benefit payments, or legal action taken against you.
If you’re placed in Temporary Accommodation and are unhappy with the accommodation or facilities you can a move to another temporary accommodation provider False
The establishments used as Temporary Accommodation meet the needs and standards set by Welsh Government. Places are limited and must be utilised in the best way to support as many citizens and families as possible. Appeals can be submitted should you feel the accommodation does not meet your needs.
If you are placed in Temporary Accommodation you will remain there until you’re housed False
Many reasons could cause a citizen(s)/families Temporary Accommodation to end before a private rented property is found, or they are offered Social Housing; These can Include…. Antisocial Behaviour – Providing misleading or false information – Failure to reside in the Temporary Accommodation – Permitting other citizens to reside in your accommodation – Withholding information or failing to provide documentation to the Authority – Failing to engage with services – Breaching Accommodation/Authority Code of Conduct – Damage to property – Criminal behaviour – Declining suitable properties that would end your homelessness.
An Authority can asked you to move rooms or Temporary Accommodation provider at anytime True
Generally rooms are allocated on a needs basis due to many counties lacking the volume of temporary accommodation required. For example; at times rooms may be under occupied, if this is the case you may be required to move rooms or to another accommodation provider that more suites your needs.
You can be refused Temporary Accommodation True
Citizens can be refused Temporary Accommodation if there has been previous documented evidence of breaching an Authorities code of conduct, withholding information, if there is no legal duty to Assess or support, or miss-information is provided.