If you are homeless, or think you might become homeless in the future, tell us as soon as you can and we'll give you some advice straight away. Please don't wait until you lose the roof over your head before you come to us.
What do we mean by 'homeless'?
You're homeless if you don't have a home that you can legally occupy.
You could become homeless if you:
- have no home in the UK or elsewhere that you have a legal right to occupy
- have a movable home such as a boat or caravan and there is nowhere it can be placed lawfully
- you are at risk from harm if you stay in your current home.
If you are homeless or believe you are at risk of becoming homeless, get in touch with us as soon as possible, so that we can help. We may consider you to be homeless if you:
- have been issued with a notice to quit, a possession notice or eviction warrant
- can't go home because of violence or harassment
- have somewhere to stay, but it's not reasonable for you to do so
- have been living with friends or family and been asked to leave
- are sleeping rough
If you are homeless we'll look at whether or not you have local connections in the area. If you have no connection to Norwich, the Homelessness Reduction Act states that under the relief duty, we can refer you to the local authority where you have a connection. Enquiries will be made by your housing assessment officer to explore where you have a safe local connection.
Duty to Relieve homelessness
Norwich City Council has a duty to help people who are already homeless. We will help by working with the person to create a personal housing plan which will include reasonable steps for both the applicant and the council to take in order to secure accommodation for homeless.
If you are a professional wishing to refer somebody for help, please visit our Duty to Refer page.
If you have no alternative accommodation and we believe that you are homeless, eligible and in priority need, we may offer temporary accommodation while we are assessing your homelessness application or when you have been accepted as homeless and are waiting for a permanent home. Our temporary accommodation policy provides further details.
What happens if we cannot relieve your homelessness?
If, after 56 days we have not been able to relieve your homelessness, enquiries will be made to determine if a full housing duty is owed. We will need to be satisfied that:
- you are eligible for assistance
- you are homeless
- you are in priority need
- you are not intentionally homeless
- you have a local connection to the Norwich City Council area.
If, following our enquiries, we are satisfied that the above criteria is met, and a full housing duty is owed, you will be rehoused into the first available suitable council accommodation.
If you need help
- We offer a housing advice drop in service at City Hall, Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. When you visit us, please bring information that supports what you tell us, for example, proof of identity or immigration status, and any legal paperwork relating to your tenancy. It is important that you bring the relevant information with you so we can fully assess your circumstances and provide you with the correct advice.
- You can call us on 0344 980 3333.
- You can email us at housingoptions@norwich.gov.uk . Please provide us with full details of your issue so that we can provide a full response.
- Out of hours: If you have a housing emergency outside of office hours, an emergency out of hours service is available on 0344 980 3333.
- See details about how we can help rough sleepers.
