Homelessness Review and Strategy: 2008 – 2013

- Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013

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ARE YOU HOMELESS OR THREATENED WITH HOMELESSNESS?

Braintree District Council has a legal duty to help certain homeless people:

·                Those who are homeless—and

·                In Priority Need/Vulnerable

·                And have a local connection with this area

When making an application as homeless you will be asked to provide the following

Document(s) or information:- (Except in the case of Domestic Violence—if you are fleeing domestic violence we understand that you might have difficulty in supplying some of the documentation necessary—which may mean a delay in making a decision).

The Local Authority has a legal duty to investigate the circumstances of everyone who approaches them as homeless and they will in most cases require the information/documentation as follows:

Full birth certificates or passports for all the persons on the application

These document(s) are required to enable the Authority to determine that you are eligible for assistance. Please ensure you have one of these documents available, prior to your interview.

Child Benefit Payment Books

If you have children, then the Benefit Book is required to assist the Homeless Officer when determining that dependent children live with you.

Tenancy Agreement

If you are privately renting, the Homeless Officer will need to see your Tenancy Agreement to check your tenancy rights.

Income

Details of Income, Benefit, Savings, Profit/Loss from the sale of property. You may be asked to complete a financial statement and produce bills to back up your debts etc.

Notice to Quit/Possession Orders/Bailiff’s Warrant

If your landlord is seeking possession we will need these documents to determine your homelessness and whether or not your landlord has, in fact, served a Legal Notice.

Friends/Family

If you have been living with friends or family, we will need confirmation regarding how long you have lived there and reasons why you have to leave. In addition we will need a contact telephone number.

Addresses for the past 5 years

The Homeless Officers ask you to provide the addresses you have lived at during the last 5 years, dates and type of occupation

(i.e. tenant/owner). Please ensure that you have this information available.

Medical Evidence

If you have a medical problem, then the Homeless Officer will need to know about this problem and how it affects your homeless situation. You may send us a G.P’s letter if you think this may help the situation, but G.P’s may charge you for this service. Incapacity Benefit Books, G.P’s  prescription/certificate or details of medication you or a member of you family are taking may also be extremely useful. One or all of the above may be required in order to enable the Homeless Officer to reach a decision.

Service Standards—the service we aim to offer you

We aim to deal with your case in a sensitive and professional manner.

Over 85% of decisions on homeless applications are usually made within 33 days but if the Council is still waiting for information it may take longer.

If English is not your first language, and you have difficulty communicating, please let us know, as we can provide an interpreter, or you can bring someone with you to interpret for you.

You may request the same sex interviewer (this may mean waiting longer to get an appointment)

Interviews can be arranged in a private room (this could involve some delay)

It is up to you if you want someone (a friend or relative) with you at the interview

If you are homeless, in an emergency you will be seen /or dealt with over the phone 24/7 (we cannot offer the same sex interviewer for this service)

You will be dealt with in a polite manner and wherever possible seen within 15 minutes of a pre-arranged appointment

If it is necessary for you to wait while enquiries are taking place (which could be all day in some complex cases) you may be offered tea/coffee etc., at a cost, from the vending machine.

Toys are available in some of our private interview rooms to help entertain your children. However, in some circumstances it may be wise if a friend could look after the children while the interview takes place it can be less distressing for the homeless applicant and quicker for the interviewer to get the information needed.

Please note: It is advisable to book an appointment in advance to avoid any delay however, delays may occur when emergencies arise. We are based at:-

Causeway House
Bocking End
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 9HB

Telephone: 01376 552525

Mini Com:- 01376 557766

Fax:- 01376 557762

Please let us know when making your appointment if you have special needs
Monday—Thursday’s  9.00am—5.30pm
Fridays—9.00am—5.00pm

This information can be made available in Large Print, on tape, in Braille, on CD Rom or in an alternative language by contacting:- 01376 552525 Extensions: 2146, 2101, 2010 2183

Please let us know if you cannot keep an appointment.