I’m homeless tonight
This page explains what to do if you have nowhere to go tonight.
What Doorstep can do in an emergency
We can help you make a homelessness claim to the local council but we do not provide any rooms or housing in an emergency. Our first response to someone being roofless tonight would be to refer them to the local homeless prevention team. We can do this with you over the phone or we can sit with you in our centre and complete the form along side you.
Homelessness definition
You do not have to be on the streets to be classed as homeless. The Housing Act 1996 defines a person as homeless if they:
- have no accommodation available to them to stay in
- are at risk of violence or domestic abuse
- have accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to stay there
- have accommodation but cannot physically get in to it
- have no legal right to be in their accommodation
- live in a mobile home or houseboat but have no place to put it or live in it
You can read a more detailed explanation of the legal definitions of homelessness on Shelter’s website.
How to refer yourself to the homeless prevention service
To receive help in an emergency, or to get access to housing that comes with tenancy support, you need to start with a homeless prevention referral. This form is available on the NEL Council’s website and can be filled in by you, someone helping you or a professional who is referring you on your behalf.
Once the form is submitted, someone from the homeless prevention service will call you back. This could be the same day, within 48 hours or within 5-7 working days, depending on how serious your situation is.
Why we refer under 18s to children’s services
If you are under 18 and nowhere to stay, we have a legal duty to refer you to children’s services. You have a right to support to stop you from being homeless for any longer. We have more information about this:
What is a ‘local connection’?
A local connection is needed in order to access housing related support through the local council. This means you need to strong connection to Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham and the surrounding area within North East Lincolnshire. Local connections include:
- living in an area
- working in an area
- close family in an area
There are more definitions for people who may not have a connection to any area, such as care leavers, those recently released from prison, and those who have been granted asylum.
What is ‘priority need’?
Priority need is a term used to describe someone whose need for emergency housing would come before someone else’s due to something that makes them more vulnerable if they were to be street homeless. The local homeless prevention team makes this decision based on the law. It applies if:
- you are 16/17 years old
- you or someone in your household is pregnant
- you have recently left care
- you have recently left prison
- you have a mental health diagnosis
- you have a physical or learning disability
Rough sleeping
Rough sleepers can access support from the local council and from the Harbour Place Day Centre
