If the law says we must find you a home, we will offer you temporary accommodation. At first, for a few weeks, this is likely to be in a Bed and Breakfast. Later, we could move you to another type of temporary accommodation, such as a hostel or a self-contained flat.
You will also be put on the housing register for a home with a housing association. You will be given thirty points on the housing register when your case is accepted. Every month you will be given five extra points while you are homeless. You will be offered a permanent home when it is your turn.
However, we have a large number of people waiting for a permanent home. So, depending on your circumstances, you may have to wait a very long time for a housing association home.
Where are the temporary homes?
They are located throughout South Gloucestershire. We will discuss your personal circumstances with you before we decide where to place you. However, unless there is a reason why not, you could be placed anywhere within South Gloucestershire.
What if I refuse the temporary accommodation?
If we offer you a suitable home and you refuse it without a good enough reason, we will not offer you anywhere else to live. Our responsibility to find you a home will end, and you will have to find your own place to live.
How long will I be in a temporary home for?
If we have a responsibility to house you, we will normally provide you with a temporary home until one of the following happens:
- We offer you another temporary home
- We offer you a suitable long-term home
- You find yourself somewhere else to live
- You are evicted from your temporary home because you have not paid the rent or you have broken the rules where you live
What if I disagree with your decision?
You can ask us to review any decision we make about your case. You have 21 days from the date you get our decision to make the request and you must put it in writing. By law, we must review our decision within eight weeks of your request.
If we review your case and you think our decision is legally wrong, you can appeal to the county court. The court has the power to change our decision if it is legally wrong.
You can get help with your appeal from Shelter (a housing advice service), a law centre or a private solicitor.