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Preventing homelessness

Are you homeless or worried you might become homeless shortly? If so contact us immediately using the details at the bottom of this page. We can provide information on homelessness and how to prevent it.

The Council cannot generally provide help for people who are not resident in the UK or those subject to immigration control. Asylum seekers whose claim for asylum was made after 2 April 2000 are not eligible for any help with housing from the Council and should apply to the UK Borders Agency (This link will open in a new window).

In most cases we will also be able to offer more detailed advice to help prevent homelessness. You will need to see one of our Housing Advisers for an interview. The type of help we can give you includes:

• Advice on your housing rights where you are living now.
• Practical assistance to help you keep your current property.
• Advice on your housing options.
• Advice on finding private rented accommodation.
• HELP accessing training and employment opportunities.

Homelessness Strategy

All councils have to carry out a review of homelessness in its area and develop a strategy for tackling it. Local councils must consider homelessness in its broadest sense and not just limit their activities to people who are unintentionally homeless and in priority need. The Council aims to direct homelessness services away from crisis intervention towards prevention and focus and on increasing support services to help people maintain their homes. You can download of copy of the homeless strategy and action plan by clicking on the links below.

• Homelessness Strategy 2008-11
• Homelessness Strategy Action Plan Update November 2011

Help and advice

For independent advice and help contact Citizens Advice Bureau (This link will open in a new window)

• Oxted - 1st Floor Library Building,14 Gresham Road, Oxted RH8 0BQ.Tel: 01883 715525
• Caterham - Soper Hall, Harestone Valley Road,Caterham, Surrey, CR3 6YN Tel: 01883 344777

Shelter - Independent Housing Advice Organisation (This link will open in a new window): 24hr Advice Line - Freephone Tel: 0808 8004444

Information websites

• The Site (This link will open in a new window) - offers advice to young people on housing issues such as renting, buying, homelessness, maintaining a tenancy, their rights as a tenant and even safety and hygiene issues. Or "Dealing with landlords, mice, and flatmates gone weird - your guide to keeping a roof over your head" as they say at the top of the page. It is a small part of a much lager site for young people giving advice on all sorts of issues including relationships, going out, working, sex and drugs & alcohol.
• Centrepoint (This link will open in a new window) - national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded homeless young people. It provides a range of accommodation based services, including emergency night shelters and short stay hostels, specialist projects for care leavers, ex-offenders, young single parents, foyers and supported flats and floating support services.
• Connexions Surrey (This link will open in a new window) - another site for young people between the ages of 13 to 19 and those with special needs up to 25. Offers advice on education, housing, sex, drugs, money, training and employment.
• Womens Aid (This link will open in a new window) - national domestic violence information.
• Refuge (This link will open in a new window) - national domestic violence information.
• East Surrey Domestic Violence Forum (This link will open in a new window) - provides assistance and advice for victims of domestic violence in the East Surrey area.
• National Debtline (This link will open in a new window)- a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent.
• FamilyLine Surrey (This link will open in a new window) - a confidential telephone helpline for any member of a family that lives or works in Surrey - or even beyond.
• Relate (This link will open in a new window) - offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through this website.
• Homeless Link (This link will open in a new window) - the national membership body for organisations supporting homeless people and working to end homelessness across England and Wales. It provides a strong voice to influence government policy and public opinion and provides members with advice, guidance and training.
• HomelessUK (This link will open in a new window) - for advisors and the public and a leading source of information about services that help homeless people. You can find information on over 8,000 services across the UK, including hostels, advice and support services.

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