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Housing

Homelessness

Being homeless or being threatened with homelessness is a real scary thing. It could be that you’ve been kicked out of home, or you’re at risk of violence, or that your parents have left the country, or that you can no longer stay in the property where you currently live. Whatever the reason, there are steps you can take to ensure that you do not end up on the streets.

The national websites opposite have loads of useful info if you find yourself faced with homelessness, but if you can’t find the information you need or would rather speak to someone on the phone, you can also ring any of the following for free:

Connexions Direct Adviser
080 800 13 2 19
Shelter Helpline
0808 800 44 44
Get Connected
0808 808 4994
Childline
0800 1111
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90

Under 16’s

If you are under 16 or have been in care, contact your local Children’s Services Reception and Assessment Team at your local Children's Services Department They have a duty to provide accommodation for you and to help with your situation. Childrens Services offices are open 8.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-4.30pm on Fridays and you can get in touch with your nearest Social Services department by ringing one of the numbers below:

Aldershot 01252 314221
Alton 01420 544255
Andover 01264 387400
Basingstoke 01256 362000
Eastleigh 023 8061 8722
Fareham 0845 600 8722
Gosport 0845 600 4555
Havant 023 9247 1644
Hythe 023 8084 6953
Isle of Wight 01983 520600
Lymington 01590 625000
Petersfield 01730 265462
Portsmouth 023 9283 9111
Romsey 01794 526000
Southampton 023 8083 3336
Winchester 01962 869313

You can also contact Social Services in the evenings and at weekends on 0845 600 45 55 for Hampshire and Portsmouth, and 023 8023 3344 for Southampton . This helpline is staffed by social workers and other specialists and can be used to get emergency help when offices are closed.

Over 16’s

Local councils have a legal duty to provide help to certain people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. The level of help will depend on your circumstances, ie. whether you are ‘eligible for assistance’, whether you are in ‘priority need’, whether you became homeless deliberately and whether you have a link to the area. The rules on eligibility are quite complex so you really need to get down to your local council’s housing department as soon as possible to register as homeless. Remember, you can make an application BEFORE you are actually homeless if you know that is what is going to happen.

Listed below are the housing departments for all local councils – it’s probably best to phone for an appointment first but if you are in desperate need of accommodation, most housing departments will have a duty housing officer who can see you there & then.