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Temporary accommodation

Temporary accommodation is short-term accommodation that we arrange for some households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

Temporary accommodation is not available to everyone. We can only consider providing it after you make a homelessness application and we assess what legal duty we may owe you under homelessness law. 

You should contact us as soon as possible if you're homeless, at risk of homelessness, or need urgent housing advice. 

Temporary accommodation is not allocated on request or on a first-come, first-served basis. We can only provide temporary accommodation where we have a legal duty or power to do so following an assessment of your homelessness application. 

Contents 

— Who temporary accommodation is for 

— How to ask for help 

— When we may provide temporary accommodation 

— Types of temporary accommodation 

— How we decide where to place you 

— Out-of-district placements 

— What you can expect from us 

— Your responsibilities 

— Support while in temporary accommodation 

— Moving on from temporary accommodation 

— If your circumstances change 

— Complaints and feedback 

— Contact us 

Who temporary accommodation is for 

Temporary accommodation may be provided to a household where we have a legal duty or power to accommodate them under homelessness legislation. 

This may include households where:

  • We're making enquiries into a homelessness application

  • We owe an interim accommodation duty

  • We owe the main housing duty

  • Accommodation is required while a review or appeal is being considered

  • Another accommodation duty applies under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996

We can't offer temporary accommodation to everyone who contacts us for housing help - we'll assess your circumstances through a homelessness application and explain what help we're able to provide. 

How to ask for help 

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact our Housing Options Team:

We'll ask you some questions to find out your eligibility, including: 

  • Your current housing situation. 

  • Who lives with you. 

  • Why you're homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

  • Your health, safety and support needs. 

  • Your income and affordability. 

  • Any risks, including domestic abuse, harassment or safeguarding concerns. 

We may ask you to provide documents to support your application. 

When we may provide temporary accommodation 

We may provide temporary accommodation where required by law, or if we have the power to do so while we assess your homelessness application. 

Temporary accommodation may be provided while:

  • We complete enquiries into your homelessness application

  • We work with you to prevent or relieve your homelessness

  • You wait for a suitable longer-term housing option

Temporary accommodation is not permanent housing, and doesn't guarantee an offer of social housing. 

Types of temporary accommodation 

We use different types of temporary accommodation depending on availability, household need and suitability. 

This may include: 

  • Council-owned temporary accommodation

  • Private sector leased accommodation

  • Nightly paid accommodation

  • Hotel accommodation

  • Bed and breakfast accommodation

  • Accommodation outside the Winchester district

We aim to use council-owned temporary accommodation where suitable and available. 

We'll only use bed and breakfast accommodation as a last resort, and will prioritise moving households out of bed and breakfast accommodation as soon as suitable alternative accommodation is available. 

How we decide where to place you 

When deciding whether certain accommodation is suitable for your household, we'll consider different factors, including: 

  • The size of your household 

  • Health, disability or accessibility needs

  • Safety risks, including domestic abuse or harassment

  • Safeguarding concerns

  • Schools, employment and caring responsibilities

  • Access to health care and support services

  • Affordability

  • Cultural, religious or social needs, where relevant

Sometimes the demand for temporary accommodation can be higher than the accomodation available. In these situations, we'll prioritise placements based on need, vulnerability and risk. 

Priority may be given to: 

  • Households with dependent children

  • Pregnant households

  • People with disabilities or significant health needs or vulnerabilities

  • Survivors of domestic abuse

  • People at risk of harm

  • Care leavers and young people

  • Households with support needs

  • Households who have spent longer periods in emergency accommodation

Out-of-district placements 

We'll always try to place households in the Winchester district - but sometimes this might not be possible. We may need to place you outside the district if: 

  • No suitable local accommodation is available

  • There is an immediate safety risk

  • Specialist accommodation is needed

  • Emergency accommodation is required

  • Demand for local accommodation is higher than supply

If we place you outside the district, we'll consider your individual circumstances and explain the reasons for the placement. 

We'll aim to move households back into the Winchester district when suitable accommodation becomes available, and it is safe and appropriate to do so. 

What you can expect from us 

We will aim to: 

  • Treat you with dignity, fairness and respect

  • Explain your housing situation clearly

  • Provide information about your placement

  • Keep in contact with you while you are in temporary accommodation

  • Consider your wellbeing, safety and support needs

  • Make safeguarding referrals where required

  • Make reasonable adjustments where required

  • Help you understand your move-on options

We'll also provide information about who to contact, how to report issues and what to do in an emergency. 

Your responsibilities 

If you're placed in temporary accommodation, you must: 

  • Follow the terms of your licence or tenancy agreement

  • Pay rent and service charges

  • Claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit where needed

  • Respect neighbours, staff and other residents

  • Keep the accommodation in good condition

  • Report repairs, safety issues or safeguarding concerns

  • Tell us if your circumstances change

  • Engage with your housing plan and move-on options

If you don't follow the rules of your temporary accommodation, this may affect the help we're able to provide. 

Support while in temporary accommodation 

We understand that homelessness and temporary accommodation can be stressful and disruptive. 

We will work in a trauma-informed and person-centred approach. This means we will consider your circumstances, support needs and any risks affecting you or your household. 

Support may include referrals to: 

  • Safeguarding services

  • Domestic abuse services

  • Mental health services

  • Substance misuse services

  • Health services

  • Social care

  • Youth support services

  • Tenancy sustainment support

  • Employment or financial inclusion support

  • Voluntary and community organisations

If you're struggling with your wellbeing, or are in need of extra support, make sure to let us know so we can ensure you get the appropriate support.

Moving on from temporary accommodation 

Temporary accommodation is intended to be short-term. We'll work with you to help you move into longer-term suitable accommodation

This may include: 

  • Private rented housing

  • Support with deposits or rent in advance, where available

  • Advice about finding accommodation

  • Help to use the housing register, if you're eligible

  • Support from partner agencies

  • Tenancy readiness support

We'll make sure to keep you updated about your housing situation and your next steps. 

If your circumstances change 

You must tell us as soon as possible if there is a change in your circumstances. 

This includes changes to: 

  • Who lives with you

  • Your health or support needs

  • Your income

  • Your employment

  • Your safety or risk level

  • Your contact details

  • Your ability to stay in your current accommodation

It's important that you let us know, as changes in circumstances may affect your temporary accommodation or the housing duty owed to you.

Complaints and feedback 

If you're unhappy with the service you have received, you can make a complaint. 

You can complain: 

  • By telephone on 01962 848400

  • In writing to Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ

  • By speaking to any council officer

If you're still not satisfied after going through our complaints process, you can contact the Housing Ombudsman. 

You will not be disadvantaged for making a complaint or raising concerns. 

Contact us 

Contact the Housing Options Team if you are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or need advice about temporary accommodation. 

Telephone: 01962 848 163 

Email: homelessness@winchester.gov.uk 

Accessibility 

If you need this information in another format, language or require additional support, please contact us. 

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