Housing Options Service

The South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub, has drop-in centres in Rochford, Basildon and Thurrock.

 

An officer can offer support by giving:

To get help from the South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub, please contact them on:

 

Phone: 01268 729707.

 

Lines are open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm.

 

Always call the police on 999 if:

South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub Partners:

Links can be found in the Related Content section.

 

 

The National Domestic Violence Helpline can be contacted using 0808 2000 247, if you're a woman experiencing domestic abuse. You can talk confidentially to someone about your situation, and to find out what your options are.

 

The Freedom Programme: A 12 week rolling programme, for women who wish to learn about the reality of domestic violence, and abuse. Help women to gain self esteem and confidence, to improve the quality of their lives. Programmes are fun, and can be found at different locations throughout the country. You can find a link to more information in Related Content.

 

Men's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.

 

Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. If you feel in despair, want someone to listen to you, and provide emotional support.

 

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000.

Email: help@nspcc.orguk

For anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.

 

Childline: 0800 1111

Free, national helpline, for Children and Young People in danger, or distress.

 

Action on Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141.

 

 

You can apply to our housing options service as a homeless person, if you can't stay in your home. The council can give you advice about finding somewhere to live. 

 

If the council has a duty to find you somewhere to live, you will be asked to provide details of your situation. You may be asked for supporting evidence, which could include details and dates of incidents.

 

 

Whatever you discuss with the Housing Options service, will always remain completely confidential.

 

If you need more help or need to arrange an appointment with a Housing Options Officer, please complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

 

For more advice and support from the Housing Options service complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

 

Once the completed form is received, a Housing Options officer will contact you within 5 working days.

Leaving the home of family and friends

If you have been asked to leave by family or friends, this can be a very distressing time for everyone involved. This is one of the biggest causes of homelessness in Rochford, so it is vital that we explore all your options first. Where applicable, we will always try and negotiate with the family or friends, for you to remain within the home, if it is safe to do. We will work with you to assess, and plan your future accommodation needs.

For more advice and support from the Housing Options service, complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

Once the completed form has been received you will be contacted within 5 working days.

Leaving the home as a young person - 16 and 17 year olds

There is always help and support available. But always remember if you choose to leave home without preparation, you may find yourself in a worse situation. 

If you are under 18, the council has a legal duty to support you. This will be through Essex County Council's, children’s social services - a link is in the Related Content section. If you have been asked to leave by family or friends and you have nowhere else to go, you should contact Social Care as soon as possible. A link is in the Related Content section. 

A joint assessment will be carried out by a social worker, and a Housing Options Officer. They will discuss with you, your housing options and any support needs.

If a young person approaches the council direct as homeless, it's procedure for a housing options officer to make a call to social services.

If, you feel unsafe at home, and feel you have no choice but to leave home immediately (eg: fear of violence). You must seek help right away.

For more advice and support from the Housing Options service, complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

Once the completed form has been received, you will be contacted within 5 working days.

Homeless on Prison release

• An injunction means you can't go there.
• You're at risk of violence there.
• You may not qualify for any housing or support from the council, if you don't meet immigration or residence conditions.

• Have dependent children who live with you, or would reasonably be expected to live with you.
• Are pregnant, or a partner you live with is pregnant.
• Are 16 or 17 years of age.
• Are 18-20 years of age, and spent time in care.
• Are vulnerable due to old age, mental illness or a physical disability. This means it's harder for you to cope with being homeless, than other people in the same situation.

• Any support you get from friends or family.
• Your physical and mental health and how it affects you.
• How long you spent in prison and when you were released.
• If you've been able to find, or keep accommodation since release.
• The council will speak to agencies involved in your support and supervision. For example, probation, youth offending team or drug and alcohol services.

• You could be intentionally homeless, if you lost your home because of the offence.
• You didn’t pay rent when you were in prison.

Homeless on leaving hospital 

If you have been assessed as being unable to return home because of your disability or ill health, the hospital occupational therapist/discharge team will, where applicable, provide you with equipment to keep you safe at home and/or refer you to the local housing occupational therapist for more permanent housing adaptations. 

For more information on the local disabled facilities grant service, please see the link to our page in the Related Content section.

If you have no place to return to when you are discharged from hospital, you should tell the hospital nursing staff as soon as possible, so that they know that you will be homeless when you are discharged. They will ask the hospital discharge team to help if they can.

The discharge team may refer you to the council, and the housing options service will assess your situation to secure accommodation where possible, that meets your medical need. Emergency temporary accommodation may be offered, while your application is assessed.

 

 

 

We can provide advice to tenants who live in private sector housing, or social housing and assist with:

You can apply for DHP if you need further help with your housing costs. If you already receive housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, please see our 'Financial help and money advice' page in the Related Content section.

 

Officers also work alongside a local community engagement officer who works closely with the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP). Helping tenants find employment, training, and ensuring they are receiving the correct benefits.

 

For more advice and support from the Housing Options service complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

 

Once the completed form has been received, you will be contacted within 5 working days.

 

 

The local Citizens Advice service located at Rochford and Rayleigh, can help with information and advice. Some of the areas covered include benefits, family, legal, debt and consumer advice. There is a link in the Related Content section.

 

 

The Money Charity, is an independent website that was set up to help people manage their money well. Their website gives you tips to build up your skills, knowledge and attitude towards spending and saving - to enable you to make the most of your money throughout your life.

There is a link in the Related Content section.

 

The Money Advice Service is free, and offers impartial money advice. It has been set up by the government to help people make the most of their money. They can give you unbiased advice, either online, over the phone or face-to-face. Their website has a useful calculator for you to plan your budget, work out mortgage and other borrowings, as well as lots of information about Universal Credit and other benefits. There is a link in the Related Content section.

 

National debt line is a website where you can access free and unbiased advice to help you solve your debt problems. There is a link in the Related Content section. Once the completed form has been received you will be contacted within 5 working days.

Key Facts – a little more about the legislation

• If you think you may become homeless, or you are threatened with homelessness within 56 days, contact the Housing Options Service as soon as possible.  
• For more advice and support from the Housing Options service complete the assessment form which is in the Related Content section.

• If you are likely to become homeless within 56 days.
• You have no home in the UK or elsewhere that you do not have a legal right to occupy.
• You have a moveable structure such as a boat or caravan, and there is no where it can be placed lawfully.
• You are at risk from harm if you stay in your current home.

• If the Council has reason to believe that you are homeless and in priority need, you will be offered emergency accommodation whilst your homelessness application is being investigated.

• Whether or not you are eligible for assistance will depend on your immigration status.
• If you are eligible for assistance, we will help find you a home. If you are not eligible you will only be entitled to advice and assistance on homelessness, and the prevention of homelessness. 
• If you are eligible but not homeless or threatened with homelessness in the next 56 days, then the Council has a duty to offer advice and assistance.
• If you are eligible and threatened with homelessness within 56 days then the Council will create a Personal Housing Plan (PHP) to prevent your homelessness.
• If you are eligible and have become homeless but have no local connection, the Council will refer you to another local authority where you have a connection.
• If you are eligible, have become homeless, and are in priority need, but have no local connection, the Council will provide temporary accommodation until the referral is accepted by the local authority where you have a local connection.

• Pregnant, or a member of your household (who is eligible for assistance) is pregnant.
• 16 – 17 years of age.
• You have dependent children.
• You are homeless because of fire, flood or similar disaster.
• You or a member of the household (eligible for assistance) is vulnerable due to:
  • Old age.
  • 18-21 years of age and previously been in Social Services Care.
  • Previous member of the Armed Forces.
  • Left your home due to domestic violence (or threats of domestic violence).
  • Mental Illness / Physical disability.
  • Special reason that puts you in risk of harm (greater than most people).

• You have lived in Rochford District for at least six months during the last 12 months.
• You have lived in Rochford for at least three years, during the last five years.
• You have a close relative who lives in the District, and has done so for at least the last five years (relative must be either Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, or adult child).
• You have a permanent job in the District.
• You have a local connection to the area for another special reason.

• You have been evicted from your home (or your property was repossessed), because you failed to pay your rent/mortgage even though you were able to.
• You decided to leave your current home without sufficient reason, and the current accommodation can only be considered temporary.
• You were evicted from your home because of nuisance, anti-social behaviour or Domestic Violence (from you to another family member).

Contact details and opening times