Everyone has the right to live somewhere safe and be protected from the elements.
Below you will find details about the different types of housing available to you and details of what to do if you find yourself homeless.
Come and see us for some friendly advice
At your Local Connexions Centre you can make an appointment to see a Personal Adviser who can give you advice and guidance on this subject and many more. You can also contact us online to ask a question and receive a reply. To contact us online CLICK HERE.
More on housing...
 Leaving Home [BACK TO MENU]
There comes a time when we all want to leave home. If you are thinking about this you must make sure it really is the best thing for YOU. An argument with a parent or other family member can be upsetting, but leaving home may not be the best thing to do. Where will you live? How will you make ends meet?
Nowhere to Sleep [BACK TO MENU]
If you are a young person that has nowhere to live or sleep you can get help from several places. Click here to see where.
Sleeping Rough [BACK TO MENU]
Sleeping rough is not to be recommended. You will face many threats to your health and personal safety. This can include physical assault and even rape. Equally dangerous is the difficulty you will face finding food and drink, keeping yourself clean and accessing healthcare. Click here for more information .
Council and Housing Authority Accommodation [BACK TO MENU]
Your local council can advise you what accommodation it can provide. This may include council houses, flats or other accommodation. To find out what is available in your area click here.
Private Landlords [BACK TO MENU]
Private rented houses and flats are owned by private landlords and let to tenants for a weekly or monthly rental charge. Click here for more.
Nowhere to Live or Sleep [BACK TO MENU]
There are laws that offer help to young people who have nowhere to live or sleep. These laws are described below with links telling you how to access that help.
The Homelessness Act (2002)
This law gives priority to young people who are homeless and local councils must provide all the help they can. Click here for telephone numbers to ring.
The Children Act (1989)
This act applies if you are 16 or 17, or under 21 and have been in local authority care. It places a duty on social services to help you find accommodation as long as you can demonstrate that you have become homeless as a result of a direct threat to your well-being. This might be because you have left home to avoid physical or sexual abuse. If you think this applies to you, you should contact your local social services department and ask for an interview CLICK HERE for local social services contact details.
The Housing Act (1996)
This places a duty on local authorities to help people who are homeless, providing that they meet certain conditions:
- you didn't become homeless intentionally
- you have a connection with the local area
- you don't have any alternative accommodation
To find out if you are eligible you should contact your local council's homeless unit. Click here for telephone numbers to ring.
Local Authority Accommodation [BACK TO MENU]
WHAT IS IT? Local authority or council houses and flats are owned by your local council. The length of time you can stay in council owned accommodation is normally much longer than you can stay in privately rented accommodation.
The type of accommodation you can get and the length of time you can stay will vary depending on your circumstances.
[Click here for council housing contact details]
Private Rented Accommodation [BACK TO MENU]
WHAT IS IT? Private rented houses and flats are owned by private landlords and rented out. This can also include rooms in shared houses or bed sits, Bed and Breakfast or lodging with a home owner. This type of accommodation is normally less secure than other forms of housing as the tenancy (length of time you can stay) can be quite short.
COST? The rent for private accommodation is normally higher than that for council or housing association accommodation. You may also have to pay a month's rent in advance. Most private landlords ask for a deposit to cover any damage to the property. This deposit is returnable when you leave but can be a few hundred pounds. You need to find out what the deposit covers and get a receipt for it.
You also need to check if you are responsible for paying household bills like gas, electricity, water, TV licence and council tax. Some landlords might also want to take up references or do a credit check on you.
NOTICE? You will normally sign an agreement for a set period, but you should check how much notice you need to give if you decide to leave before that period is up. Some landlords ask for extra rent up front incase you do leave early.
Do not sign anything until you have read it carefully. Get a friend or parent to go through it with you to make sure there are no hidden charges.
Local Council Housing: Your local councils housing department can advise you futher. Call the number for your area and ask for housing. [BACK TO MENU]
Social Services [BACK TO MENU]
| South Tyneside Social Services: |
|
0191 427 1717 |
| Gateshead Social Services: |
|
0191 433 3000 |
| Newcastle Social Services: |
|
0191 211 6363 |
| Sunderland Social Services: |
|
0191 566 3400 |
| North Tyneside Social Services: |
|
0191 200 7641 |
Where to Get Help and More Information [BACK TO MENU]
Below are some contact numbers and website links to organisations that can offer support, information and advice.
 Got a housing problem? Sort it out with Shelter who have developed a website specifically aimed at young people between the ages of 16 and 25. Whether you're looking for a new place to stay, worried about how you're going to pay for it or simply want to stay one step ahead of a dodgy landlord, it always pays to Know Your Rights. Whatever your housing problem, you can get help to sort it out. Visit www.shelter.org.uk/knowyourrights.
 Shelter North East. Shelter is a national organisation with local solutions, working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. They provide free, professional, independent advice. Ring your local office in Newcastle on 0191 232 3778 or visit their website at www.shelter.org.uk.
 The NCH (National Childrens' Homes) helps children at risk or in care, vulnerable young people and families under pressure. NCH work falls into nine broad categories: Adoption, Disability, Early years and family support, Education, Family placement, Health, Participation and family rights, Residential care, Youth services. Please visit www.nch.org.uk.
Refuge can help women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Refuge operate a 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge. Visit www.refuge.org.uk.
 North East Aid offers help and advice for homeless and badly housed people but will also be useful to other support agancies and the general public. The website contains lots of useful contacts and information about accommodation and support services in North East England. Visit www.neaid.org.uk.
 Your Homes Newcastle manage 31,000 Council homes in Newcastle. Their aim is to deliver excellent services and modern homes that people want to live in. To find out more about their housing services visit www.yhn.org.uk.
 Aquila Housing Association are based in the North East and provide safe accommodation for young single women aged 16-30. Call Aquila on 0191 4771870 or visit www.aquilahousing.co.uk.
The Children's Society work with and for children to help them deal with life's harshest challenges and face the future with confidence. The Children's Society help young people who suffer from violence, abuse or neglect. For more information visit their website at www.childrenssociety.org.uk.
  The Citizens Advice Bureau Service offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice with legal problems, including housing and accommodation, debt and consumer issues, benefits, and more. Visit their website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk or to see a list of local Citizens Advice Bureau offices with contact numbers CLICK HERE.
 Streetwise are a great local source of help. Streetwise work in partnership with other agencies to offer information, advice, support and counselling services to young people aged 13 to 25. For help and advice call Streetwise on 0191 230 5400 or visit their website at www.streetwisenorth.co.uk.
 The Site is an excellent website which offers a wide range of help, advice and information. TheSite.org covers issues such as Sex and Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol, Health, Home, Law and Money, Travel and Free Time, Work and Study. Visit www.thesite.org.
 Need 2 Know offers detailed balanced information for 13 to 19 year olds and the lifestyle issues they face such as Health, Money, Time Out, Travel, Relationships, Learning, Work, Law, Housing, Environment. www.need2know.co.uk.
Other Links
doUcare was designed by young people who are being 'looked after' by South Tyneside Council.
Twenty young people applied to help design the doUcare website and four were finally chosen. The site provides information, help and friendly advice. www.doucare.co.uk.
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE |
Housing and Accommodation 