Emergency accommodation and priority need
If you have a priority need and become homeless, we will have a duty to provide you with emergency accommodation (if you become homeless) and to support you to find a longer-term home.
You will be considered to have a priority need if you or someone you live with:
- has dependent children living with them
- is pregnant
- is homeless because of things like fire, flood or other disasters
- is at risk of abuse from a partner, ex or family member
- is a care leaver
- is considered vulnerable (through mental health, disability, serious health condition, have spent time in prison or the armed forces, or is old/frail). In housing law, 'vulnerable' means you would be at much greater risk of harm than most people if you became homeless.
Find out more about priority need.
What if I do not have priority need?
If you do not have a priority need, we will send you a letter to explain why.
You will have 21 days to request a review of our decision if you do not agree.
You must request a review in writing or by emailing your case worker or housingoptions@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
Will I be entitled to emergency accommodation if I do not have priority need?
You must have been asssessed as priority need to be eligible for emergency accommodation if you become homeless.
If you do not have priority need and become homeless, we will not have a duty to provide you with emergency accommodation (unless during adverse weather conditions), however we will work with you to help you find alternative housing options, such as hostel accommodation or private rented housing.
This is because we are required to prioritise people who are legally defined as being in priority need, such as families with children, pregnant individuals, or those facing serious health risks or fleeing domestic abuse. This ensures that those most at risk of harm receive immediate support.
What support you can expect if you do not have priority need
Whilst people without priority need may not qualify for emergency accommodation, we will work with you to look at your immediate housing options and create a personal housing plan.
The advice and guidance we will provide is likely to include signposting hostel accommodation, which is usually out of Lichfield District, houses in multiple occupation, house shares, staying with friends or family, supported housing, or looking at private rented accommodation, depending on your circumstances.
You may also be eligible to bid on properties on the housing register depending on your circumstances - finding a home through the register is not however immediate.
If you choose to move into hostel accommodation, you may be able to apply for housing benefit,
- If you are in employment this may not cover the full cost of your accommodation - if it does not cover the full cost, you will need to fund any shortfall yourself through your income.
- If you are not working this will fund the cost of your accommodation.
Help with a rent deposit to a private landlord
If you find a new home (for example a private rented home or a room in a shared house), we may be able to help you secure a homelessness prevention loan, which are provided by Fusion Credit Union.
These can be used for a deposit, rent in advance or moving costs.
Fusion Credit Union has been operating in Lichfield since 2005 and is a not-for-profit financial co-operative that pool members' savings to make low-cost loans to other members. It costs just £2 to become a member of Fusion Credit Union.
If you need to access a low cost loan to support you moving into a new home, please contact our housing options team at housingoptions@lichfielddc.gov.uk or speak to your case worker.