Homelessness

 

We have a duty to provide people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness with advice and appropriate assistance.

• If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness

Rough Sleeping

Rough sleeping is the most serious form of homelessness and if you are concerned about a person sleeping rough please contact us.

Homelessness strategy 

Our Homelessness strategy and action plan have recently been updated. You can find this document by clicking the link below.

Homelessness Strategy 2020 - 2024

Useful information

• How to rent – a checklist for renting in England
• How to Rent a Safe Home - a guide for current and prospective tenants in England 
• How to rent – a checklist for renting in England (for landlords)
• Moving On or Moving In – advice for those who need access to rented accommodation
• Lodgers – have you thought of taking in a lodger?
• Mortgage advice – useful information if you are worried about your mortgage
• Storage & removals – a list of local storage and removal companies
• Where to get help with debts – a local Shelter advice centre or Citizens Advice bureau may be able to help if you're worried about debt
• Managing money for young adults – useful tips for managing money
• Under 25’s money  saving tips – useful money saving tips from Martin Lewis
• Floating support – housing related support for vulnerable adults
• Home essentials in a crisis – help if you are having serious difficulties managing your income due to a crisis
• Universal Credit and landlords - these guides explain what Universal Credit means for landlords.
• 50+ tips for renters - rental rights + more
• https://myurbanjungle.com/explore/blog/house-viewing-checklist-for-renters/
• Interested in relocating to the North East? - Please see this website for more information 
• MovingSoon | Rent, Shared Ownership, Sale - Help to find affordable housing properties
• hlpas-leaflet.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) - Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service, legal advice available to people at risk of losing their home.

• Applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) - Apply for a discretionary housing payment to help cover your housing costs.

• Protection of your belongings - Look at DDC advice on protection and storage for your belongings when we place you in temporary accomodation
• What happens next? This section can give you some advice explaining what will happen next following your homelessness assesment.

Useful contacts

• Citizens Advice Bureau
  Dover, Deal and District Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent local charity which provides free information and advice to everyone who needs it regardless of race, sex, colour, disability, sexuality or nationality. The service is free, independent, confidential and impartial.
  
  The Citizens Advice service is the UK's largest advice provider, with nearly half the population using the service at some point in their lives.
  3 Park Street, Deal, Kent, 0808 278 7961
  Maison Dieu Gardens, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent, 0808 278 7961

• Shelter 

  The Shelter Helpline, 0808 800 4444 is available to all residents in Kent. This is a free service available every day of the year from 8am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition they have web based advice information, diagnostic tests and downloadable leaflets.

• Kent Homechoice
  Kent Homechoice is a Kent wide organisation which focuses on helping those who are at risk of or currently homeless. They have lots of information which can help you out if you find yourself in this position. They have also developed some helpful guides to help you understand your position.

Contact the Housing team

Tel: 01304 872265

Email: Housing.options@dover.gov.uk;