Your homeless interview
If you're homeless or about to become homeless, we need to find out your circumstances. This is to make sure we give you the best advice and information for your household's situation.
What to expect at the interview
- It'll last around an hour
- It'll take place in a private interview room at our office; or where possible we will consider an alternative option if this is not suitable
- you can bring a friend, relative or support worker
- you can ask for a same sex officer to interview you
- you can ask for help if you have hearing, speech or sight problems
- we'll keep the information you give us confidential
You need to bring proof of:
- your eligibility for homeless assistance (e.g. passport; national identity card, immigration status documents, or cards, residence permits or biometric residence card
- current or last secure address (bank statement, benefits letter, lease agreement or similar)
- identity (for example, passport, drivers' licence or Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) letter)
- National Insurance (NI) number
- any dependent children (for example, birth certificate or document confirming custody arrangements)
- detail of any tenancy about to end (Notice to Quit, AT6 or copy of your lease)
- If your home is being repossessed (information from your mortgage provider; court possession papers)
- income (pay slips, benefit award letter or bank statement)
- please also bring any other documents relating to your homelessness (e.g. relevant crime numbers or copies of police reports; bail conditions etc)
Please bring as much of this information with you as you can on the day of your interview or email it to us beforehand. If it's not provided, it could cause delays in us processing or making a decision on your application.
- where you lived
- how you became homeless
- if there's anything we can do to stop you becoming homeless
- any support needs you have
- support we can give you to access other services
- any legal advice you need
A Housing Options Officer will assess your case in accordance with the relevant housing legislation to determine whether you are:
- homeless or potentially homeless
- unintentionally, or intentionally homeless,
- not homeless
- homeless but have no recourse to assistance
We'll normally give you a decision within 28 days.
If you've nowhere to live and are roofless, we can find you temporary accommodation while we make our decision. More information on this can be found on our temporary accommodation webpage.
