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Emergency housing
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Introduction
Preventing homelessness
What to do if you are facing eviction
Dealing with financial problems
Repairing your home
Dealing with violence/harassment
Discharge from hospital
What to do if you are made homeless
Help from your local council
Help from social services
Other emergency housing options
Help with housing costs
Housing Benefit
Income Support Mortgage Interest
Deposit guarantee schemes
Help paying rent in advance
Useful contacts
Housing advice and helplines
Advocacy
Domestic violence
Young people and care leavers
Black and minority ethnic communities
Refugees and asylum seekers
Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
Wales
Introduction
People become homeless for many different reasons. You may be facing eviction because of health or relationship problems. You may have problems paying your rent or mortgage. Homelessness can mean more than not having a home: you are also homeless if you do not have a right to stay where you are living or if your home is not suitable for your needs.
This factsheet offers information to people who are homeless or are facing the possibility of homelessness. It outlines ways of preventing the loss of your home, and what to do if you become homeless.
It is advisable to talk to an adviser about your housing situation as early as possible. The Useful contacts section at the end of this factsheet outlines some of the organisations you can contact for more advice. Many local areas have citizens advice bureaux, housing aid projects or legal advice centres, offering advice on eviction, benefits, legal issues, tenants' rights, homelessness, harassment and other housing issues. These centres are referred to in this factsheet as advice agencies. To find out where your local advice agency is, ask at your local library or town hall. You can also find their number in your local telephone directory.
If you are facing an emergency housing situation now, call:
- Shelter's free 24-hour helpline: 0808 800 4444
- the housing department of your local council (the number will be available from your local police station or town hall).
Preventing homelessness
If you are facing being made homeless, it may still be possible to take action to secure your home.
What to do if you are facing eviction
In most cases, your landlord or lender will have to follow a legal procedure before you can be evicted from your home. You will not have to leave your home unless a court has ordered you to do so. If the landlord or lender has not followed the correct legal process, they may be guilty of illegal eviction. If you believe this is the case, contact an advice agency as soon as possible.
Even if your eviction is legal and is in process, it may still be possible to negotiate with your landlord or lender. For example, if you owe money, you could ask to pay the debt in manageable installments.
If you are a Gypsy/Traveller and you are facing eviction from a site, the Gypsy Council (the Romani Kris) may be able offer you support. Local authorities are no longer obliged to provide sites for Gypsies/Travellers. In addition, the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act has strengthened local councils powers to deal with people who camp on sites without permission.
Dealing with financial problems
If you are at risk of homelessness because of financial problems, it may be possible to negotiate new repayment terms with your lenders. National Debtline runs a helpline offering advice on dealing with mortgage and rent arrears, and other debts. Other advocacy groups may also be able to intervene on your behalf.
Make sure you are getting all the benefits and tax credits for which you are eligible (see the section below on 'Help with housing costs' and Mind's factsheet Benefits for people with mental health problems).
If your rent has increased and you became a tenant before 15 January 1989, you may be able to get a fair or reasonable rent registered. Once this is registered, the landlord cannot increase rent charges. You need to apply to your local council's rent officer. For more information, contact your local advice agency.
Repairing your home
If your home is in poor condition, you may be able to apply to your local council for a grant for repairs, particularly if you are elderly or disabled. Care and Repair and Age Concern offer advice on financing repairs and adaptations.
If your private landlord refuses to carry out repairs, you can ask your local council to take action on your behalf or you can apply to the courts. It is advisable to contact an advice agency.
Dealing with violence/harassment
You may feel you have to leave your home because of harassment or violence. It may, however, be possible to stay in your home if you take action against the person or persons responsible. Do not, however, take any risks with your safety: in an emergency, contact the police (999).
If you are being threatened by someone you live with or used to live with, such as a spouse or ex-spouse, you can get a court order to keep the person away from your home, stop being violent and/or stop contacting you. Violating court orders (injunctions) is a criminal offence. Contact an advice agency for more information.
If you cannot continue to live in your home, try to arrange temporary accommodation before you leave. If you are a woman and you are at risk or have been subjected to violence, abuse or cruelty, you can seek shelter at a women's refuge. The addresses are kept secret to protect women. Contact Refuge 0808 2000 247 (24-hour freephone). You can also obtain the number of your nearest refuge from the police, social services or local advice centres. If you ring the number, someone from the refuge will make arrangements with you to be taken there, along with any children you may have.
If you are a lesbian and your partner is violent or abusive, there may be confidentiality problems if you seek shelter at a women's refuge. Contact Gay and Lesbian Switchboard for information and support.
There is also emergency accommodation/refuges available specifically for women from the Black and minority ethnic communities (see Useful contacts section).
If you are being harassed for whatever reason, and you feel intimidated or frightened, contact your local council or a local advice agency. If the person who is threatening you is renting their home, you could inform their landlord. Most private landlords can evict a tenant who is violent or abusive. Councils and housing associations can also tackle anti-social behaviour by their tenants, if necessary by evicting them. If the person who is harassing you owns their home, you may have to take legal action against them.
Discharge from hospital
If you are at risk of losing your home at the time of leaving hospital, you can mention your housing needs as part of your Care Programme Approach assessment. If you have been detained under sections 3, 37, 47, or 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983, you have a right to aftercare. For more information contact MindinfoLine to obtain details of a solicitor.
What to do if you are made homeless
Help from your local council
If you are homeless or will be within 28 days, you can contact the homeless persons section of your local council. (This section may be known by other names, including 'homeless families', 'emergency housing', 'housing welfare'.) You can find the number at your library and at local advice agencies. At the homeless persons section you will be interviewed by a housing officer to assess your housing need.
Local councils have a legal duty to help certain people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. You will qualify for help if you are:
- 'eligible for assistance'
- legally homeless or threatened with homelessness
- in priority need
- not intentionally homeless
- and have a connection with the local area.
Eligible for assistance
Legally homeless
You will be considered 'legally homeless' if there is no accommodation available and reasonable for you and your household to live in. (This includes accommodation in another country.) You will also be considered homeless if you have a home but you cannot use it; for example, you are at risk of violence if you return. You are also considered homeless if you will lose your home within 28 days.
In priority need
The following groups of people are considered to be in priority need:
- pregnant woman
- people with dependent children
- those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of an emergency, including fire or flood
- those aged 16-17.
You may also be considered in need if you are:
- over 18, but at risk of exploitation or have been in care
- at risk of domestic or other forms of violence
- homeless after leaving hospital, prison or the armed forces
- elderly, or have a physical or mental illness or disability.
You may have to show how your situation has made you vulnerable.
Not intentionally homeless
You may be considered 'intentionally homeless' if you have deliberately done something to make you lose your home. This is a complicated area and the council will look at each case individually.
Have a local connection
The council may want you to prove that you have a connection to the local area. You may be expected to live, work or have family in the area. If the local council believe there is no local connection, they can refer you on to the appropriate local council.
The council may make sure you have somewhere to live while it investigates your case.
If the local council decides that you are homeless and they have a legal duty to house you, they will provide you with accommodation. They may offer a place in temporary council accommodation, with a housing association or with a private landlord. You will be allowed to stay in the temporary accommodation until you are able to move somewhere more permanent. This may be somewhere you find yourself. The council may offer you a permanent council tenancy (homeless people are given extra priority on waiting lists) or an assured tenancy with a housing association or a private landlord.
If the local council decides they have no legal duty to house you, they must provide you with advice about finding alternative accommodation. This may only be information about local hostels and cheaper accommodation.
You can ask for a review of the council's decision, but this will need to be done within 21 days of receiving the decision letter. Ask an advice agency for help.
Help from social services
Even if the housing department can't help, you may receive help from the social services department. The housing department may refer you to social services. This may happen if you have a mental health problem, if you are physically disabled or ill, if you are under 18, have dependent children, and/or are elderly.
There are no rules about what social services has to provide, but it may include help with paying a deposit or finding accommodation. Contact advice agencies in your area for help.
Other emergency housing options
If you are homeless, are not owed a housing duty by the council, and have nowhere to sleep for the night there are several options available in an emergency.
Sleeping on a relative's/friend's floor
If you have a good relationship with a friend or relative, you might ask them for a bed/floor space for the night or for a longer period.
Emergency hostels/night shelters
There are different types of hostels. Emergency hostels or night shelters are for people who are homeless and have nowhere to stay for the night. They are often for short-term use, perhaps for one to two nights only. Some will accept people with no or very little money. These hostels can vary in terms of quality and in what facilities and services they offer. Some emergency hostels cater for particular groups, including age and gender.
There are also hostels that provide support and sometimes a degree of therapeutic help to people with addiction or mental health problems. Some of these hostels provide temporary shelter, others long-term supportive accommodation.
Some hostels accept self-referrals; others require notice from other agencies. For more information about finding a hostel in your area, contact your local housing department, social services and local advice agencies. Shelterline (Shelter's free 24-hour helpline: 0808 800 4444) can also give advice about hostels in your area.
Winter night shelters
During the winter months, some areas provide temporary accommodation. These shelters may be run by the local authority or by local groups, including churches. The accommodation offered may be very basic, with little privacy. You will probably have to share a room with others, often on a makeshift bed.
For more information, contact your local council, police station, local advice agencies or local churches. The charity Crisis provides shelters at Christmas time in central London.
Bed and breakfast hotels
These are more expensive than hostels and may not be of a very high standard. There may be very strict rules about vacating rooms during the day and limited, or non-existent, cooking facilities. For information about cheap bed and breakfast hotels in your local area, contact your council, advice agencies or local library.
Nightstop UK
In some parts of the country there are Nightstop schemes for homeless young people aged 16 to 25. These schemes arrange for you to stay in a volunteer's home for one night. Nightstop may also help you look for longer-term accommodation.
Nightstop will not accept you if you are currently using drugs or alcohol, if you have a mental health problem that can't be controlled by medication, or if you have a history of violence. Contact Nightstop UK or ask for details of local schemes at your council or advice agency.
Squatting
'Squatting' means moving into a property without first gaining the owner's permission. Squatting is not a criminal offence, but it is against the law to gain access to another person's property if, in the process of breaking in, you cause damage. Using gas or electricity without contacting the relevant utility companies may also be viewed as theft. In some cases, squatters can also be prosecuted for other offences, for example, if you don't leave when the landlord gets a court order, or if the person who normally lives in the property (or has a right to move in) asks you to leave.
If you feel you do not have any other choice, it is safer to become a squatter through an organised group, rather than on your own. For more information, contact the Advisory Service for Squatters.
Sleeping rough
Sleeping on the streets can be dangerous. It should only be done if you have no other options. If you find yourself on the street there are steps you can take to help secure your safety.
Day centres can be good places to visit during the daytime. These centres vary, but may offer a range of services, including washing, meals, benefits advice, health care and social facilities. Local libraries, advice agencies and police stations will know where the nearest day centre is.
Outreach teams from local hostels often visit places in their area where they know people are sleeping rough. They may be able to give you advice about hostels or night shelters. They may also tell you about day centres in your area.
Help with housing costs
Housing Benefit
If you are on a low income or on benefit, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit to help pay all or part of your rent. You may not be eligible if you have savings, are a full-time student or you pay rent to a friend or relative that you live with. If you are an asylum seeker or come from abroad, get advice before claiming: claiming if you are not eligible could affect your immigration status.
If you are on a low income, contact your local council office to claim Housing Benefit. If you are claiming benefits, contact your local benefit office.
Income Support Mortgage Interest
If you have a mortgage and you are on a low income or are unemployed, you may be able to get Income Support Mortgage Interest (ISMI) to help pay the interest (but not the capital). You will normally only begin to get ISMI payments 39 weeks after you claim, but there are exceptions to this rule. To claim, contact the Benefits Agency.
Deposit guarantee schemes
There may be a deposit scheme in your area that can help you raise money for a deposit for privately rented accommodation. Most private landlords will ask for a month's deposit if you want a tenancy, to cover their costs if you damage the property. Deposit guarantee schemes guarantee the landlord will be paid if you owe money when you leave. If your landlord claims damage has been done to the property, the scheme will investigate and pay if the claim is valid.
Some local councils, housing associations and charities also offer loans for deposits. For more information on these schemes, contact your local council or advice agency.
Help paying rent in advance
When you take out a private tenancy, you are usually asked for a month's rent in advance, in addition to a deposit. You can apply to the Social Fund for an interest-free loan to cover this cost.
To get a Budgeting Loan, either you or your partner must have been on income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks. You may be able to get a Crisis Loan if you need help as a result of a disaster (a fire or a flood, for example). You don't have to be claiming benefits to apply.
Both these loans will have to be paid back. There are limited funds available, so it may not be easy to get one. Get advice from your local advice agency. To claim both types of loans, contact the Benefits Agency or Jobcentre Plus.
Useful contacts
Housing advice and helplines
Advice UK
12th Floor, New London Bridge House, 25 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9ST
tel: 020 7407 4070
email: general@adviceuk.org.uk
website: www.adviceuk.org.uk
Network of centres providing advice and information on benefits, housing and legal issues. To find your nearest centre, contact the national office.
Advisory Service for Squatters
2 St Paul's Road, London N1 2QN
tel: 020 7359 8814 or 0845 644 5814 (Mon-Fri 2-6pm)
email: advice@squatter.org.uk
website: www.squatter.org.uk
Provides legal and practical information and advice to squatters and homeless people.
Age Concern England
Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER
info line: 0800 009 966 (every day 7am-7pm)
tel: 020 8765 7200
email: ace@ace.org.uk
website: www.ageconcern.org.uk
Information on repairing your home and housing information for older people.
Care and Repair England
The Renewal Trust, Business Centre, 3 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham NG3 2EG
tel: 0115 950 6500
website: www.careandrepair-england.org.uk
Offers help and advice on financing repairs and adaptations, enabling elderly, disabled and low-income householders to continue to live in their own homes.
Community Legal Services Direct
helpline: 0845 345 4 345
website: www.clsdirect.org.uk
Legal advice and information.
Crisis
66 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT
tel: 0870 011 3335
email: enquiries@crisis.org.uk
website: www.crisis.org.uk
Develops, researches and funds schemes to provide help where it is needed, at whatever stage of homelessness; from emergency help on the streets, through to hostel accommodation, permanent housing and resettlement support. (Open Christmas shelters are run every year.)
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Myddelton House, 115-123 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LZ
web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Adviceguide website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Provides advice and information on a wide variety of subjects including benefits and housing advice. Has a nationwide network of local CAB offices.
To find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau, you can either search www.citzensadvice.org.uk, or look in your local phone directory under CAB.
Housing Justice
209 Old Marylebone Road, London NW1 5QT
tel: 020 7723 7273
email: info@housingjustice.org.uk
website: www.justhousing.org.uk
National Christian organisation working to prevent homelessness and bad housing. Has a network of advice centres and practical action projects. Works to increase awareness of housing issues generally.
Law Centres Federation (LCF)
Duchess House, 18-19 Warren Street, London W1T 9LR
tel: 020 7387 8570
email: info@lawcentres.org.uk
website: www.lawcentres.org.uk
Works with other national advice groups to challenge unfair discrimination. Can also provide a list of local law centres.
National Debtline
The Arch, 46-52 Floodgate Street, Birmingham B5 5SL
helpline 0808 808 4000 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm)
website: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Offers free, confidential advice to people facing mortgage and rent arrears and other debts.
National Missing Persons Helpline
freephone: 0500 700 700
website: www.missingpersons.org.uk
Helpline for people who have left home or run away. Enables callers to send a message to their family, social worker, friend or carer.
Nightstop UK
National Office, 45A Otley Road, Shipley BD18 3PY
tel: 01274 533 004
email: info@nightstop-uk.org
website: www.nightstop-uk.org
Network of local schemes providing emergency accommodation for homeless young people aged 16-25.
Shelter
88 Old Street, London EC1V 9HU
Shelterline 0808 800 4444 (24-hour helpline)
tel: 020 7505 2000
email: info@shelter.org.uk
website: www.shelter.org.uk
Provides information and advice on homelessness and other housing issues. Runs a network of housing aid centres.
Sign (The National Society for Mental Health and Deafness)
5 Baring Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2NB
tel: 01494 687 600 (minicom: 01494 687 626)
email: info@signcharity.org.uk
website: www.signcharity.org.uk
Offers a range of services for deaf people with mental health problems, including advice, information and counselling.
Advocacy
Advocacy Project
91 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool L8 7LB
tel: 0151 709 9442
Community-based advocacy service for Black and minority ethnic communities.
Mind
Some local Mind associations provide advocacy services.
United Kingdom Advocacy Network (UKAN)
Volserve House, 14-18 West Bar Green, Sheffield S1 2DA
tel: 0114 272 8171
email: office@u-kan.co.uk
website: www.u-kan.co.uk
Can provide details of local advocacy support across the UK.
Domestic violence
Dove Project
4 West Road, Westcliff on Sea, Essex SS0 9DA
helpline: 01702 300 006
tel: 01702 302 333
Support, counselling, advice and information for women and girls who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic violence or physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Crisis helpline offers support to women experiencing domestic violence, including coordination of refuge bed spaces in south east England.
Refuge
2-8 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3EE
tel: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour freephone)
email: info@refuge.org.uk
website: www.refuge.org.uk
Helpline offering counselling, support and welfare rights for women and children escaping domestic violence. Network of refuges across the UK. Outreach service for women for whom English is a second language.
Rights of Women
52-54 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8RT
adviceline: 020 7251 6577 (Tues, Wed, Thurs 2-4pm and 7-9pm, Fri 12-2pm)
tel: 020 7251 6575/6
email: info@row.org.uk
website: www.row.org.uk
Telephone legal advice service for women throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Offers advice and information on issues including sexual violence, harassment and domestic violence. Provides referrals to sympathetic women solicitors.
Women's Aid Federation of England
PO Box 391, Bristol BS99 7WS
tel: 0117 983 7126
email: info@womensaid.org.uk
website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Provides emergency accommodation, advice, information and support services to abused women and their children.
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline
PO Box 156, Newton Street, Manchester M60 1DB
tel: 0161 839 8574 (minicom: 0161 834 4496)
website: www.wdvh.org.uk
Telephone counselling, advice and information for women experiencing domestic violence. Information on welfare rights, finding accommodation and legal services. Referrals to refuges/safe houses, solicitors and other agencies that can offer support. Also has a community language helpline.
Women's Link (Women's Housing Advice in London)
417 Fruit and Wool Exchange, Brushfield Street, London E1 6EL
helpline: 020 7248 1200 (Mon-Wed 10am-1pm)
email: advice@womenslink.org.uk
website: www.womenslink.org.uk
Provides information, advice and support to low-income women seeking housing/accommodation in London.
Young people and care leavers
Alone in London (ALS)
188 King's Cross Road, London WC1X 9DE
support services: 020 7278 4486
email: enquiries@als.org.uk
website: www.als.org.uk
Aims to tackle the homelessness of young people aged 16-25. Provides shared housing and other support, including housing.
Centrepoint
Neil House, 7 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DU
tel: 020 7426 5300
website: www.centrepoint.org.uk
Centrepoint is a national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless young people.
The Children's Society
Edward Rudolf House, Margery Street, London WC1X 0JL
tel: 0845 300 1128
email: supporteraction@childrenssociety.org.uk
website: www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Information, advice and advocacy service for children and young people in care or leaving care.
Get Connected
helpline: 0808 808 4994 (every day 1-11pm)
email: help@getconnected.org.uk
website: www.getconnected.org.uk
Free, UK-wide email and telephone helpline for vulnerable young people and children, including runaways and homeless people. Offers support on many issues.
National Youth Advocacy Service
99/105 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral Heswell CH41 6AD
helpline: 0800 616 101 tel: 0151 649 8700
email: info@nyas.net
website: www.nyas.net
Information and advocacy services for children and young people up to the age of 25.
Black and minority ethnic communities
Action for Irish Youth
356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
tel: 020 7700 8137
email: agiy@irish.org.uk
website: www.irish.org.uk
Aims to promote the interest and welfare of emigrant Irish youth in London. Produces a guide to London to meet the needs of young Irish emigrants and their advisers in London and Ireland.
ASHA Projects
13 Shrubbery Road, London SW16 2AS
tel: 020 8696 0023
email: asha1@cix.co.uk
Advice, support and counselling for Asian women with children who have been subjected to domestic violence and for single young women wishing to leave home.
BIAS (Irish Information and Advice Service)
The Old Library Building, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden Green, London NW10 2SF
tel: 020 8459 6655
email: bias.brent@btconnect.com
Information and advice for Irish people on housing, finding somewhere to live etc. London-wide phone service.
Chinese Community Centre - Birmingham
Q-Lorc Resource Centre, 99 Bradford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0NS
tel: 0121 685 8510
email: cccbirmingham3@hotmail.com
Advice and information for the Chinese community on housing rights.
Chinese Information and Advice Centre
4th Floor, 104-108 Oxford Street, London W1D 1LP
tel: 020 7323 1538
email: info@ciac.co.uk
website: www.ciac.co.uk
Offers information, advice and support to the Chinese community.
Fanon Day Centre
33 Effra Road, Brixton, London SW2 1BZ
tel: 020 7737 2886
email: info@fanondc.clara.co.uk
Services include advocacy and advice for women with mental health problems/domestic difficulties from the African Caribbean community.
Federation of Black Housing Organisations
1 King Edwards Road, London E9 7SF
tel: 0208 533 7053
website: www.fbho.org.uk
An umbrella body for black-led housing organisations. Provides information, advice and support on housing management
Gypsy Council (Romani Kris)
8 Hall Road, Aveley, Essex RM15 4HD
tel: 01708 868 986
email: enquiries@thegypsycouncil.org
website: www.thegypsycouncil.org
Information and support for Gypsies and Travellers. Information on planning for caravan sites.
Karma Nirvana (Asian Women's Health Project)
Unit 14 Rosehill Business Centre, Normanton Road, Derby DE23 6RH
tel: 01332 604 098
Provides 24-hour support for Asian women in crisis.
Kiran (Asian Women's Aid)
PO Box 899, London E11 1AA
tel: 020 8558 1986
email: kiranawa@btopenworld.com
Refuge accommodation and advice and support for Asian women experiencing domestic violence.
London Irish Women's Centre
59 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0AR
tel: 020 7249 7318
email: info@liwc.co.uk
Advice and information for Irish women and women of Irish descent on housing and domestic violence.
Refugees and asylum seekers
Refugee Arrivals Project (RAP)
41b Cross Lances Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW6 2AD
tel: 020 8607 6888
email: rap@refugee-arrivals.org.uk
website: www.refugee-arrivals.org.uk
Provides independent advice on accommodation, money, health, education and legal matters for refugees, asylum seekers, their relatives and friends, covering Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City airports.
Refugee Council
Bondway House, 3-9 Bondway, London SW8 1SY
tel: 020 7820 3000
email: info@refugeecouncil.org.uk
website: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
Offers information, advice, representation and support for refugees and asylum seekers:
Refugee Support Centre
47 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RH
tel: 020 7820 3606
email: rsctherapy47@hotmail.com
Tries to meet the mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers by providing counselling, information and support.
Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
tel: 020 7837 7324 (24 hours)
website: www.llgs.org.uk
National helpline and information service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people.
Stonewall Housing Association
2a Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP
tel: 020 7359 6242
adviceline: 020 7359 5767 (Mon, Thurs and Fri 10am-1pm, Tues and Wed 2-5pm)
email: info@stonewallhousing.org
website: www.stonewallhousing.org
Telephone advice and information for lesbians and gay men on homelessness, housing options, harassment and finding accommodation in London.
Wales
Bays Project
32-36 High Street, Swansea SA1 1LG
tel: 01792 455 105
Provides a range of services for single people aged 16-21 who are homeless or in housing need, including temporary accommodation, housing and benefits advice.
Care and Repair Cymru
Norbury House, Norbury Road, Cardiff CF5 3AS
tel: 029 2057 6286
email: pat@careandrepair.org.uk
Head office supporting 22 Care and Repair home improvement agencies in Wales, which help older people and disabled people stay in their homes, living independently.
Cardiff Gypsy and Traveller Project
114 Clifton Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 1LY
tel: 029 2021 4411
website: www.switch-cymru.org.uk
Liaison and advice service for members of the Gypsy Traveller community, whether on official sits, in houses or on the roadside, and for agencies working with them.
Home Access
c/o Tabernacle Baptist Church Centre, Plassey Street, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan CF64 1EN
tel: 029 2070 2690
email: homeaccess96@yahoo.co.uk
website: www.tabernacle-penarth.com
Advice for homeless people, people threatened with homelessness, people with housing problems.
Shelter Cymru (south, west and mid Wales)
25 Walter Road, Swansea, West Glamorgan SA1 5NN
tel: 01792 469 400
email: advicesouth@sheltercymru.org.uk
website: www.sheltercymru.org.uk
Advice, information, advocacy and a full legal service for people with housing problems and homelessness issues.
Shelter Cymru (north Wales)
23 Abbot Street, Wrexham LL11 1TA
tel: 01978 353 649
email: advicenorth@sheltercymru.org.uk
website: www.sheltercymru.org.uk
Swansea Bond Board
The Wallich Clifford Community, The Strand, Swansea SA1 2AW
tel: 01792 301 363
Service for single people and childless couples on low incomes who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Welsh Refugee Council
Phoenix House, 389 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 1TP
tel: 029 2048 9800
email: info@welshrefugeecouncil.org
website: www.welshrefugeecouncil.org
Advice, counselling and support for refugees, asylum seekers and their dependants.
Written by Carole Reid-Galloway, July 2002. Updated by Sarah Jane Gillam, January 2005.
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