|
Organisations dedicated to helping homeless people have specialist knowledge of homelessness problems. The services available range from day centres to outreach teams or hostels. Although primarily based in cities, rural areas may have limited versions.
What help is available?
There are a range of organisations dedicated to helping homeless people. These services are primarily found in cities and large towns, although rural areas may also have more limited services available. Some organisations are able to help you if you have drug, alcohol or mental health problems. Use the Advice Services Directory to find out what services are available in your area.
The Housing Executive should help you if you are homeless, or likely to be homeless in the next 28 days. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. However, you will be entitled to accommodation if you pass the legal tests for homelessness.
If the Housing Executive doesn't consider you homeless, you may be able to get help from social services.
If you are a single person who is homeless you can contact the Simon Community 24 hours a day on 0800 171 2222. The Simon Community will assess your circumstances and may be able to provide you with accommodation.
People from abroad
Most asylum seekers and some other people from abroad are not legally entitled to housing from the Housing Executive. They may be able to get help from the Home Office instead. Contact the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM) before you ask for help. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.
Back to top
Day centres
Although designed as a place for rough sleepers to go during the day, day centres are not only for people sleeping on the streets. Day centres provide a communal place for people to meet even if they are living in their own home.
Services available from day centres vary as do the opening hours. Most close in the evenings and at weekends. Services available at day centres include:
- Cheap or free food,
- Laundry room,
- Washing facilities,
- Advice on finding accommodation and benefits,
- Medical treatment.
Back to top
Soup runs
In some areas agencies deliver food and drink to rough sleepers. They usually visit certain areas at specific times.
Back to top
Outreach teams
Outreach teams only exist in certain areas; some are attached to day centres. Outreach teams work on the street advising people on their housing options. They may also help with claiming benefits.
Back to top
Hostels
Hostels provide accommodation for homeless people. Some hostels will accept people who turn up at the door. Other hostels will only accept people referred by an agency such as a day centre or the Housing Executive. Hostels can fill quickly and once the hostel is full, people are turned away. The accommodation in hostels can be:
- Temporary (on a daily basis or for a set period of time),
- Permanent,
- Supported (for people who are ready to move on to their own home),
- High care (for people with medical needs).
Accommodation standards in hostels can vary. Residents may have single rooms, shared rooms or a bed in a dormitory depending on the hostel. Some hostels cater only for certain groups of people, such as young people, people with alcohol problems or people with mental health problems.
You will have to pay for your hostel accommodation. It can be quite expensive to stay in a hostel. You should claim housing benefit, particularly if you are on a low income or benefits.
|
Homelessness Checklist
