About Homelessness

Under certain circumstances we have a legal obligation to provide temporary accommodation, if required. Your Housing Options officer will advise you on accommodation options as part of the service they provide.

1. Furnished Tenancies

We have a number of temporary homes in a range of locations throughout East Lothian. These are individual properties, which are furnished and available to homeless families or individuals. Some of these are council owned, others are housing association houses rented to the council and a number are owned by private landlords and are leased to the council for this purpose.

2. Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

In emergency situations, we use bed and breakfast to provide accommodation. As with other forms of temporary accommodation, we will consider education, employment and family support and try and place people in accommodation which causes the least impact to their circumstances.

3. Where will I be offered?

In identifying temporary accommodation we will consider a range of issues such as education, employment and family support. We try to place people in accommodation that causes the least impact on their support network. We will endeavour to provide accommodation in your areas of choice but your initial placement may be out with your preferred areas.

4. Charges

Furnished properties - You will be charged the rent for the property, the appropriate council tax and any service charges related to the property.

Bed and breakfast - The council charges for B & B accommodation. All applicants are expected to pay a minimum of £15 per week towards the costs of the accommodation. The amount you will pay depends on your financial circumstances.

5. Specialist Supported Accommodation for single people

The council has access to specialist supported accommodation for young & single people in different locations throughout East Lothian. You can discuss these with your case officer, who will make any potential referrals to them on your behalf.

6. Domestic Abuse

Specialist temporary accommodation can also be made available to women fleeing domestic abuse by East and Midlothian Women's Aid. Applicants can also approach Women's Aid directly or their Housing Options Officer can contact Women's Aid on their behalf to find out if they have any vacancies as part of their assessment of temporary accommodation needs. Further information can be found on the Women's Aid - East & Midlothian website.