Catering for customers needs

Getting Advice signposts housing advice from specialist services in East Lothian, ranging from the Citizens Advice Bureaux to Shelter or Women's Aid. Advice on a wide range of topics is available, and some organisations provide advocacy services as well. They can take up your case against any body, public or private which you feel may have mismanaged your housing need, including East Lothian Council. The following teams and organisations are featured here:

* The Council's Welfare Rights team can help with problems connected to Benefits.
* The 'Homeseeker' project, offers information about access to all tenures of housing in East Lothian, by giving Personal Housing Advice in one-to-one interviews.
* Young people in housing need are strongly advised to get in touch with the Council's Homelessness service which offers specialist guidance and support.
* Haddington CAB  will advise on housing issues such as eviction and arrears. It also offers money advice and can advocate on your behalf. Musselburgh CAB offers a similar range of services, primarily to people in the western half of East Lothian.
* Shelter East Lothian Project  provides advice both to East Lothian Council staff and to the public. It is entirely independent and will take up cases against the Council.
* The Bridges Project is mainly concerned with the housing needs of young people. It offers a wide range of support and helps with access to appropriate facilities.
* East Lothian Women's Aid  is the support agency for women who have suffered domestic violence or other forms of abuse. As well as advice and advocacy it can offer accommodation in refuges.
* If you are suffering from neighbour problems, the SACRO Mediation project may be able to help.
* If you need support for your Council tenancy the ELC Homelessness service may assist you, likewise the Throughcare and Aftercare team, which deals with young people leaving care.
* Issues relating to care of vulnerable tenants and residents may be dealt with by the Supporting People team and information about access to community care services can be found here. 
* Specfic advice on buying, renting or adapting a house for the disabled can be found here.