Homelessness

According to the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) all Local Authorities must have a Homelessness Strategy in place and Cheshire East's policy is currently out for consultation. Comments and feedback on the policy must be made by the 13th August 2010 to The Policy and Monitoring Officer, Housing Department, Macclesfield Town Hall, Macclesfield.

A copy of the Policy can be found in Macclesfield Town Hall, Westfields: Sandbach or Crewe Municipal Buildings or can be downloaded; Cheshire East Draft Homelessness Strategy (PDF, 659KB).

Under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) Cheshire East Council has certain responsibilities towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

From 1st April 2010 Cheshire East Council will be solely responsible for carrying out homeless tests to determine whether you are homelessness or threatened with homelessness within 28 days. The information below gives you advice on the stages of the test that the organisations will use to determine what duty, if any, you are owed under the Housing Act.

There are five stages to be determined about an applicant during the homeless test. These stages are:

The process of considering these criteria is called a homeless investigation and it is our duty to complete this investigation within 28-33 working days. At the end of this investigation the applicant will receive a written homeless decision.

What is a Homeless Decision?

You will receive a letter outlining how our advisors have investigated your homelessness and whether they agree that you meet all of the five criteria and have passed the homelessness test. If you pass the homelessness test, then your letter will confirm your offer of a homeless duty. If you do not pass the test you will receive a letter explaining why and how we made this decision and the next steps.

What is a Homeless Housing Duty?

The partners will ensure that accommodation is continuously available for successful applicants until permanent accommodation is found.

This duty ends when:

An applicant voluntarily ceases to occupy his main housing duty accommodation
An applicant refuses suitable accommodation provided in performance of the duty.
An applicant ceases to be eligible for assistance.
An applicant becomes intentionally homeless from his main housing duty accommodation.
An offer is accepted under Part VI of the Housing Act.
An offer under Part VI of the Housing Act is refused.
An applicant accepts an offer from a private sector landlord including an assured tenancy or a qualifying offer.

What if I don't agree with the Homeless Decision?

Any of the decisions and offers of accommodation made by one of the organisations are made in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended).

If you feel that any homeless decision or offer of property is incorrect you can appeal. Full details of how to appeal will be given when you receive your homeless decision.

If you are homeless or think you might be homeless soon contact us as soon as possible.

Contacts

Cheshire East Housing Options Team

housingoptions@cheshireeast.gov.uk