Homeless Welfare
Bolton Council will always look to assist you in the prevention of you losing your accommodation. Homeless Welfare works closely with Housing Advice Services to do this were ever possible
The Homeless Welfare Section receives, assesses and makes decisions on homeless presentations to the Council under Part VII of the 1996 Housing Act (as amended by the 2002 Act). The section also takes and recommends appropriate action including:
- Placement of homeless households into temporary accommodation
- Assessment of re-housing of homeless households under Part VI 1996 Housing Act
- Liaison with relevant agencies to ensure appropriate re-housing
- Prevention of homelessness, providing a floating support service to families who are at risk of homelessness, assisting them to sustain their tenancies and reduce the risk of homelessness
Whether you qualify as a homeless person for housing depends on your individual circumstances. The Housing Act 1996 Part VII and subsequent legislation sets out the legal duties of the Council towards people who are homeless or about to be made homeless. However the Council does not have to provide permanent housing to all homeless people.
We will only be able to offer you assistance if:
- You are eligible for consideration and are habitually residents within the UK
- Homeless or threatened with homelessness
- In priority need
- Not made yourself homeless intentionally
- You have a local connection with the area or no local connection with any other Council
Eligibility takes account of a person’s immigration status or recent arrival from abroad.
You may be treated as homeless by the Council if you:
- You are homeless or threatened with homelessness within the next 28 days
- Have nowhere suitable to live
- If you are in temporary accommodation
- Are experiencing violence or threats of violence or being harassed
- Have a husband, wife, partner, or child who is unable to live with you
You may have a priority need if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have a dependant child aged 16 years or under, or 17 to 18 and still at school
- Are vulnerable as a result of age or a physical or mental disability
- Are being harassed or threatened with violence
- Are under 18
- Are homeless due to a fire, flood or similar disaster
You may be intentionally homeless if you have done something deliberately which causes you to be homeless. For example, you have become homeless because you did not pay your rent or mortgage and you could afford to do so, you could be considered ‘intentionally homeless’. If you are found to be intentionally homeless, the Council cannot house you permanently even if you have children. We can only help for a short while and advise you where to go and to find somewhere to live.
You have a local connection if:
- You have lived here for six out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years
- You have permanent work in the area
- Your close relatives, such as mum, dad, bother or sister, have lived in the area for the past five years
- You have a very special reason why you must live in the area
What happens next?
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you will need to make an appointment to see a Homeless Welfare Officer. Or, if you will be homeless that day, you can present directly at the Homeless Welfare Office, during the times listed below.
The Homeless Welfare Officer who interviews you will normally become your caseworker. S/he will be responsible for making enquires into your application and will tell you when this has been done and what the decision is. You will be given a letter with your caseworker’s name and office number. You should contact them about anything to do with your application.
We are available by telephone from 9am to 5pm daily or call in to see us between the times below.
Drop-in times
Monday to Thursday: 2pm to 4.30pm
Friday: 2pm to 4:00pm
Appointments only
Monday to Friday: 9:15am to 12:30pm