What does being Homeless mean

 So far in “Action” magazine numbers 36 to 38, I have mentioned 3 of the 5 basic conditions that must be met if a homeless person is to be offered Council housing.   This article helps you understand what is understood as “being homeless”.    To be housed by the Council you must be established as actually being homeless.   You must not have a home to which you can reasonably be expected to return.

 Here are a few situations where you might not be regarded as homeless:

 1.         You are a young person aged 16 or 17 where you are not getting on at home and would like to leave and be given a home of your own.    Having a row with your parents is not sufficient reason to regard yourself as homeless.   Even an allegation of abuse against a parent may not be enough reason as it has to be proven.    The Council will usually arrange for mediation between parent and child to reconcile the situation.   A young person aged 18 or over is not normally regarded as having priority housing need.

 2.         Your marriage breaks up and it is undesirable for you to live in the family home with your husband, wife or partner.    Where the relationship is uncomfortable but amicable and you have a legal right to live in the house, the Council will expect you to live there and come to an arrangement with your other half until a separation has been reached.     Where there has been violence or abuse, this will need to be proved through something like a Police or Doctor’s report.    

 3.         The house is too crowded for everyone to live in comfortably.    Housing law lays down clearly what is overcrowded and you will be surprised how many people you are expected to fit into housing.    You would be expected to house two people of the same sex in a double room as well as using the living room as a bedroom.   Children under ten are also expected to share a room. 

 4.         Noisy neighbours, disrepair or dampness.   These are all very difficult issues to deal with and you will be expected to take action to deal with the matters.   Disrepair is sometimes due to lack of care and dampness is often due to condensation which the Council will regard as due to inadequate ventilation.   Noisy or abusive neighbours should be dealt with through the Environmental Health department at the Council.

 5.         You have not paid your rent because you cannot afford it or you have lost your job.   The Council will expect you to pay your rent as top priority.   Where your income is very small, you will be able to claim Housing Benefit for a rented property.   You will be expected to take advice on how to budget properly and also to come to an arrangement with your landlord to repay your arrears to prevent eviction.  

 6.         Where you have lost your housing due to a flood or fire, you might be housed by the Council as an emergency matter – but it will only be as a temporary measure.

 Bob Bailey

Editor