Homelessness

If you suddenly find yourself without a roof over your head you should go to the City or District Council Housing Departments who have the duty to provide immediate temporary accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds – this could be in a hostel, B&B, night shelter etc. The council then have up to 28 days to decide whether you are homeless. If you are homeless it will provide council, housing association or private rented accommodation for you.

Your Connexions personal adviser can support you if you are homeless by listening to your situation, telling you where to go for help and helping you to fill in forms; or contact one of the local organisations below:

Loughborough Nightstop
For homeless 16-25 year olds
01509 265 2222

The Bridge
Advice and support for homeless people in and around Loughborough
01509 260500

North West Leicestershire Homeless Project
01530 510515

SHARP (Shelter Housing Aid and Research Project)
Covers city and county for advice, practical help and information
0116 254 6064

Shelterline
Free 24 hour helpline
0808 800 4444

Y Advice and Support Centre
Advice and support services for people who are sleeping rough.
0116 221 2787

Emergency Housing

Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

A bed and breakfast hotel may offer a place to stay if you are homeless. Most bed and breakfast hotels will only accept young people who have been sent by the council or social services. In many places you get your own bedroom but you may have to share. The standard of the rooms might be poor and you usually have to share a bathroom. There are usually no cooking facilities so you may have to rely on takeaways.

Hostels

Hostels can offer a place to stay if you are made homeless, or until you are ready to cope with a place of your own. Some hostels only take young people and many will help you to find somewhere you can stay long term. Some hostels offer general advice and support with living on your own.

There are many hostels throughout the UK. They are often seen as somewhere for a few nights but some offer a place for up to two years. In some hostels you will have to share a room, in others you get your own room.

Hostels are run by a wide range of organisations including the YMCA, local councils and the Salvation Army. To find out if there are any hostels in your area speak to your council housing department or social services department.

Check with the hostel whether you can apply direct to them for a place, or if you have to be referred, for example by a council housing department or a youth project.

Squatting

Squatting is where someone enters and lives in a place without the owner's permission. Squatters can be evicted easily and run the risk of being convicted of a number of criminal offences. You can find out more about the law affecting squatting in the Squatters Handbook available from the Advisory Service for Squatters.

Staying with friends

Staying with friends means living with people you know and it gives you a breathing space to look into other options. However you could be asked to leave at short notice. Going to an advice centre as soon as possible to work out where you can move on to is a good idea.

Last Updated: 10-Dec-2007