Welcome To Wirral

If you think you are in danger of losing your home you should seek advice immediately. Early action can prevent you becoming homeless. Housing Advisors are located in the Conway Centre and can give advice about housing issues in person or over the telephone on 666 5515/5517 during opening hours. See Housing – information and advice (link to 652)

Making a Homeless Application in Wirral
Homeless & Housing Advice Section
Conway Centre
Conway Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 6AH
Opposite the main bus station in Birkenhead.

Telephone: 0151 666 5511/12/31/09
Fax: 0151 666 5500
Email : homeless@wirral.gov.uk

Opening Hours

An appointment can be made for you during the following working hours.

9.00am – 5.00pm Mondays, Tuesdays Wednesdays and Fridays
1.00pm – 5.00pm Thursdays

What are the Council’s Responsibilities?

The extent of the duty owed to you depends upon a number of factors. Everyone is entitled to receive free advice and assistance either to prevent homelessness or to help you find alternative accommodation. Temporary accommodation can be offered in certain circumstances.

Legal Stuff

The legislation states that if you are eligible for assistance, homeless, in a priority need group, not intentionally homeless and have nowhere else to stay on a temporary basis the council has a duty to provide you with temporary accommodation whilst you and the Council look for more permanent housing. To be housed as homeless in Wirral you must have a local connection to Wirral.

Am I Eligible for Assistance?

If you are a person subject to immigration control or have been living outside the UK you may not be eligible for assistance. We will therefore need to check your immigration status.

If you are eligible for assistance your Homeless Officer will need to find out if you are homeless

Am I Homeless?

You are homeless if you have no accommodation that you can reasonably be expected to live in that would be suitable for you and your family, or you are threatened with homelessness within 28 days.

If we find that you are not homeless or threatened with homelessness we will explain our decision in writing. You will have the right to appeal.

To provide temporary accommodation we need to establish if you have a priority need.

Am I in Priority Need?

• You will be in priority need if you, or someone who normally lives with you,
• Has dependent children
• Are expecting a child
• Is Vulnerable due to old age, mental illness, physical disability
• Are fleeing Domestic Violence
• Are 16 – 17 years old
• Have lost your home as a result of a fire, flood or other emergency
• Are vulnerable for some other reason

If you are found not to have a priority need the Council will inform you of the decision in writing. You will have the right to appeal.

Am I Intentionally Homeless?

You may be considered intentionally homeless if you leave accommodation that you could reasonably have been expected to continue to stay in, or you are forced to leave accommodation due to rent arrears or anti-social behaviour that you could have avoided.

You may also be considered intentionally homeless if you failed to take advice about other suitable accommodation which was given in order to resolve a homelessness problem, or we feel your homelessness has been brought about deliberately by your own actions.

If you are considered to be intentionally homeless and have nowhere else to live, you may be given a reasonable period of time (up to 28 days) in temporary accommodation. This time is given for you to sort out your own accommodation. After this period you will have to make your own arrangements for yourself and your family. During your stay in temporary accommodation you will be given advice and assistance on other housing options which may be available to you and your household.

Do I have a local connection to Wirral?

You will have a local connection to Wirral if one of the following applies to you:

• You have lived in the Wirral Council area for 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years
• You have permanent employment in the area
• You have a close relative who has lived in the area for 5 years or more
• You need to be in the Wirral area as you are fleeing domestic violence from another area.

If you do not have a local connection to Wirral you may be referred to another local authority where you do have a local connection.

When will I be offered a property?

If it is accepted that you are eligible for assistance, homeless or threatened with homelessness within 28 days, have a priority need, are not intentionally homeless and have a local connection we will confirm that we have a duty to house you and you will have a named Homelessness Officer who will be responsible for finding suitable accommodation for you. You will receive One offer of suitable accommodation. This could be in any area in Wirral, unless you are able to prove you cannot live in a certain area(s).

If you have former tenancy arrears, or owe money to a housing association this may affect your options for being re-housed.

The duty to re-house you will cease if you

• Accept an offer of a tenancy.
• Refused an offer of suitable accommodation.
• Leave or lose temporary accommodation without informing us, or intentionally.

You will also lose your right to stay in any temporary accommodation that has been provided for you.

What happens if I disagree with the council’s decision or offer?

You should talk through any concerns or problems with your Homeless Officer, but if you are still unhappy you have the right to request a review of any decision made by a homeless officer. The details of the review procedure will be on your decision letter. You must appeal in writing to the Deputy Manager, Homeless Section, Conway Centre, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 6AH within 21 days of your decision letter.

Related websites:

www.Shelter.org.uk has clear and comprehensive information about housing rights and homelessness law.

www.homeless.org.uk/areyouhomeless has a list of useful information and websites