Homelessness
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Homelessness
Homelessness remains a significant problem in Brighton & Hove. High property prices and and low average income have resulted in high levels of homelessness, and demand for affordable homes in the city far exceeds supply.
If you're worried about becoming homeless, follow this link for advice on what to do.
Brighton & Hove City Council’s Homelessness Strategy has been reviewed as part of the development of the city’s new Housing Strategy, and the Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 2013 was adopted in March 2008. The strategy sets out the council’s approach to preventing homelessness and seeks to build on what we learned since publishing our last Homelessness Strategy in 2003.
The delivery of the Homelessness Strategy 2003-2008 has led to improved quality of place and, as shown below, better outcomes for the people in our city who are homeless or in housing need:
- statutory homelessness acceptances have reduced by 50% since 2003/4
- the use of temporary accommodation has reduced by over 25% since 31 December 2001
- for every household accepted as homeless, a further seven households have been prevented from becoming homeless by our Housing Options Service
- over the past six years, the number of people rough sleeping in the city has fallen by over 82%, from 66 in 2001 to 12 in 2007
Our Homelessness Strategy 2008 - 2013 aims to address homelessness in its broadest sense and not just for those whom the authority will have a duty to secure accommodation. It covers those who are currently homeless and those who are vulnerable to becoming so. It considers homelessness prevention within the context of addressing the housing, health and well being of vulnerable people.
Our vision for tackling homelessness in Brighton & Hove is: ‘to prevent homelessness through early intervention and the timely provision of advice and support. When homelessness is unavoidable, to ensure that people receive appropriate housing, care and support, with a clear pathway towards independent living.’
The Homelessness Strategy 2008 – 20013 outlines our plans to respond to the housing needs of our city’s changing population profile by focussing upon the following key themes:
- vulnerable adults with multiple needs
- tackling family breakdown and youth homelessness
- addressing the needs of our communities of interest
- promoting access to settled homes
- integrated housing options with employment advice
If you're about to become homeless...
Get advice. Find out your rights by contacting the Housing Options Team on (01273) 294400 or by completing our homelessness advice on-line form. Your rights will depend on the type of tenancy you have.
Our housing advisers will do all they can to help you keep your home. They can:
- advise you of your responsibilities
- advise you on welfare benefits to help with your rent or mortgage
- negotiate with your landlord about any problems
- deal with your building society if you have fallen behind with your mortgage payments
Homeless application reviews
If you have made a Homeless Application and do not agree that the decision reached by the council is the right one, you may ask for the decision to be reviewed. For further information about how and when to ask for a review and the request form, please see our homeless review request leaflet and form.Rough sleepers
The council works in partnership with a number of Brighton & Hove agencies to deliver accommodation and support services throughout the year.
The council has introduced an integrated support pathway with accommodation providers, floating support service and attached basic, life and work skills to enable people to work towards independent living.
The council commissions a Rough Sleepers, Street Services & Relocation Team to deal with anyone that is found sleeping rough. The aim of the team is to engage with rough sleepers and find solutions to the problem by finding accommodation in the city or reconnecting them back to areas that they have come from, with appropriate support.
To report a rough sleeper during Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm call 0808 1680414 (free phone number) or email Brighton.rsssrt@cri.org.uk. You should leave the details where you have seen the person and the team will actively search for the person to offer assistance. If this is an emergency please use the number below.
Out of hours homeless emergency
If you have a homeless emergency out of office hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) the council can help. The team can be contacted out of office hours by calling (01273) 294400 and following option 2, then option 1.
Useful contacts
- Housing Advice Team - Tel: (01273) 294400
- The Big Issue - Tel: 01273 724 129
- Citizens Advice Bureau - Tel: 0845 120 3710
- Brighton Housing Trust - Tel: (01273) 234737
- New Steine Mews Hostel - Tel: (01273) 698024