Are you eligible for assistance?

• A person subject to immigration control may not be eligible for housing assistance under the Homelessness Act 2002.

Are you homeless?

You may be homeless if you have nowhere to live, if you have been told by your landlord you must leave your home or if you are afraid to return to your home. You may be homeless if you have to leave your current accomodation within 28 days.

Do you fall into a category of priority need?

You may be in priority need if you are pregnant, have dependent children or are vulnerable in any way. This may be due to your age, health or life circumstances.

You may also be in priority need if you are homeless as a result of an emergency such as fire or flooding, whether or not you became homeless intentionally.

Are you intentionally homeless?

You could be intentionally homeless if you chose to leave a home you could have stayed in or if it was your fault you lost your home. But if for example you left your home because of violence, or because of arrears, which built up because of circumstances beyond your control, you may not be intentionally homeless.

Do you have a local connection?

You may have a local connection if:

• you have lived in the District for more than 6 months, or for three out of the last five years
• you have employment in the District
• you have a close family member, who is resident in the District
• you need to live in the District for a special reason.

If you are homeless or may become homeless then please make an appointment to see a Housing Aid Officer at Harrogate Borough Council.

A number of joint protocols for specific needs groups are being developed. This allows all agencies who provide support to an individual to contribute to the assessment of an individual's living and support needs.

The protocols have been set up for the following client groups:

• Families with children who are found to be intentionally homeless
• Homeless 16/17 year olds
• Homeless elderly, learning disabled or physically disabled
• Adults with Disabilities
• Ex-offenders leaving custody
• Offender HSG Protocol