Help if You Are Homeless

Finding yourself with nowhere to live is both frightening and stressful. We want to help you by preventing homelessness from ocurring wherever possible so that you can avoid the worry of this difficult situation.

In Southwark, we have a range of schemes and services in place within Housing Options Services that may be able to assist you, either by helping you to stay in your current home or by helping you find a new one. 

What you should do if you think you may become homeless

If you are worried that you may lose your current accommodation within the next 28 days, you need to make an appointment to see one of our housing advisors at our HomeSearch centre. They will look at whether we can help you by preventing the homelessess occurring.

If this is not possible, we may be able to help you find alternative accommodation through one of our schemes. We will advise you about the full range of options open to you, based on an assessment of your circumstances.

Call us to book an appointment on 020 7525 5950.

What we can do to help

Our HomeSearch team can help you by

• offering help and advice to help you stay where you are (for example if your landlord is trying to evict you)
• advising you on mortgage arrears and mortgage repossession
• giving you advice on tenancy deposit schemes and re-housing options
• offering advice if you have repair issues in your home (Southwark council tenants should contact their area office)
• working side by side with you to help you find and keep a safe and suitable home
• referring you to our Housing Assessment and Support services or other suitable sources of support.
  

Overcrowded conditions

Are you living in overcrowded conditions and have been asked to leave by family or friends? If your relative or friend can let you stay for a bit longer, you can apply to go on the housing list as an overcrowded applicant. You can then bid for a home on Southwark Homesearch.

As an applicant in overcrowded accommodation you would

• have the same priority band as a homeless applicant
• avoid being placed into temporary accommodation, (eg a hostel), which could be located anywhere in the borough – and not necessarily where you want to live.

For more information or to discuss other possible housing options to ease overcrowding call our housing advice line on 020 7525 5950.

Contact us

Housing options services
Tel: 020 7525 5950
Fax: 020 7525 4088
hsg.has@southwark.gov.uk
25 Bournemouth Road
London
SE15 4UJ
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (10am on Wednesdays)