Information for young people regarding housing within North Lanarkshire

If you are under 16 years old and homeless, you should go to your local social work department.

If you are over 16 years old and find yourself homeless, you should go to your local housing office or First Stop Shop to make an application for assistance under the Housing ( Scotland ) Act 2001. They have a duty to help you. These offices are open 9am Monday to Thuesday and 9am to 4.15pm on Fridays. When you apply as homeless the council by law has to give you temporary accommodation which will be in a hostel or a self contained flat. The council then have to investigate your case and complete a homeless assessment and send you a written decision telling you what they will do for you in the future.

Not all homeless people get a right to a permanent house. Some homeless applicants are assessed as having a right to have a permanent tenancy but some only get a right to temporary accommodation while the council gives them advice and assistance to help them find their own house.

Outwith these hours, the Emergency Out of Hours Standby Service operates 365 days a year. The tel number is Freephone 0800 953 2424. The Standby Officer will contact you to discuss your situation. You can also call at any North Lanarkshire police station for advice and help. The duty officer will contact the standby office for you.

You can bring a friend, relative or adviser to help you with your application.

If you are living in care within North Lanarkshire or have had experience of living in care, or if you are "looked after" by the local authority, and are ready to move on to independent living, you are entitled to get support to access housing, supported accommodation or homeless accommodation. This help can be from a social worker, a support worker and from local housing offices. Your social worker will complete a 'pathway plan' with you which will look at what things you may need to support you to move on to independent living. You can also get information from North Lanarkshire 's First Stop Shops or your local Housing Offices. To get the contact details for your local office, go to this web page: http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7894

Here are some useful website links to get more information about housing

Shelter also has free national Helpline: 0808 800 4444