Homelessness

We may need to establish if someone has a local connection with this area. If they don't, we have to establish if they have a local connection with any other local authority area in England, Scotland or Wales.

Someone may have a local connection if they:

• have lived in the local authority area for six out of the last 12 months, with the exception of interim or temporary accommodation provided by another local authority
• have lived in the local authority area for three out of the last five years, with the exception of interim or temporary accommodation provided by another local authority
• have permanent employment or be self employed in the local authority area (this may include substantial periods of temporary employment)
• have a family association (which has a wide interpretation) e.g. if the applicant or a member of his/her household has family members who have resided in the local authority area for at least five years
• have any special circumstances (which may include the need to continue education or medical treatment or where the applicant has no local connection with any area)
• have served in armed forces and have been stationed in the area.

If we intend to refer you to another area

We may refer someone to another council and ask them to assist, if they:

• have no local connection with this area, but do have a local connection with the other council
• made a homeless application to another local authority area in the last five years and were placed here by that Council.

The Case Officer is required to advise the applicant that he or she intends making a referral to another local authority and the grounds on which that referral will be made.The Officer is obliged to advise the applicant that if he or she disagrees with the decision to refer to another local authority, the applicant may appeal against that decision.