Help for the homeless

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, the first thing you should do is speak to your local housing officer.

You are considered homeless if you have nowhere to stay, temporarily live with family or friends, may lose your home or can’t stay in it.

When contacting your local housing office, you will be offered a private interview with a housing officer within three working days and temporary housing if you need it.

At the interview, you will be asked for more information about your circumstances – the more information given means the more help you will get.

The council will decide if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness in the next two months; have deliberately caused your homelessness (although this excludes where you are at risk of abuse, cannot afford the property or were evicted from a hostel or temporary accommodation); and have a connection with South Lanarkshire.

The housing officer can arrange temporary accommodation if needed in furnished flats/houses, supported accommodation, rooms with shared facilities and bed and breakfasts.

After interview, you will receive a letter within 28 days with the decision regarding your application – or you will be told a decision is yet to be made.

You will still have the right to temporary housing if you need it while you are waiting and until the council can give you help and advice to find somewhere else; offer you settled accommodation; if you can’t be offered settled accommodation, you will be given an explanation why.

You have a right to appeal the decision within 21 days and have the right to temporary housing if you need it until a decision is made on your appeal.

●For independent advice on housing rights and options, contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter.

Housing office support workers can also assist or direct you to other services for help. If you are homeless or at risk of becoming so, contact the housing office on 0303 123 1012 to discuss your situation.