Homeless InformationHomeless Information
Help with homelessness has remained with the Housing Options section of Stockton Borough Council. The requirement for a Local Authority to provide a Homeless Service is a Statutory Requirement and is governed by Legislation. The 1996 & 2002 Housing Act gives clear guidelines on the groups of people who fall within the terms of Priority Need Groups.
Every person who approaches a Local Authority who states that they are Homeless must have their claim on Homeless grounds investigated and, before any decision is made regarding their application, the legislation must be applied to ensure that the law has been adhered to. A Local Authority has a duty to provide Advice & Assistance even when the applicant does not fall within a Priority Group.
An example of the priority groups is as follows:
Any person who is pregnant or has dependent children, a person who is vulnerable because of old age or infirm or a disability or special reason, persons who have a Mental Health problem, people who are deemed to be vulnerable, a person aged sixteen or seventeen, or a child to whom a Local Authority owes a duty under Section 20 of the Children's Act 1989, people who have been displaced form their home through fire or flood, people who are fleeing harassment, people who are subject to domestic violence. The above is not comprehensive list of priority groups, just a small example.
The Housing Options Service have compiled a directory of services for anyone who is homeless, or threatened with homelessness in the Stockton area. It gives details of these services, what they can offer, referral procedures and opening times. Information is provided in several different categories
- Accommodation Providers
- Drug and Alcohol Support Services
- Education and Training
- Welfare Benefits
- Mental Health Services
- Services for Young People
- Domestic Violence Advice and Support
- Support Services
- Mediation Services
- Advice and Information Services
- Other Services
- Health Care Services
Contacts
Housing OptionsStockton Borough Council
16 Church Road
Stockton on Tees
TS18 1TX
01642 528389
