We work in partnership with the outreach service Turning Tides to support residents who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping in Mid Sussex. However, we may not be aware of everyone so if you know of a rough sleeper in Mid Sussex then please alert us by completing a Streetlink referral at www.streetlink.org.uk

Your Housing Journey Explained

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Housing advice

Housing advice contact form

Please complete the above housing advice contact form for further housing advice and assistance.  

The link below allows access to incomplete forms:

Housing advice contact form incomplete

You will require your national insurance number prior to completing the form.

If you are not able to complete this form on your device, please contact a member of the Housing Options Team who will be able to support you to do this.

Once we have received your housing advice form, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your situation. This will initially be by phone or email. In some cases you may be invited to an interview at the Council offices in Haywards Heath but this will be discussed with you if required.

A member of the Housing Options team will then complete a housing assessment with you. This may involve completing a personalised housing plan so that we can establish how you can work with the council to resolve your situation. This may take 1-2 hours. You will need to bring relevant paperwork with you such as:

  • Proof of ID
  • Tenancy agreement
  • Notice to quit
  • Details of your income

Advice about homelessness

Housing advice contact form

We offer support and help whether you're homeless or worried about becoming homeless.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 puts a legal duty on councils to offer more support to a wider range of people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness - and to intervene earlier. 

Please see the relevant category to see how we can help you. Prevention and Relief duties both last 56 days, if we cannot help you within this time then we shall assess you under Full Duty. 

At risk of becoming homeless (Prevention)

Please complete the housing advice contact form if you are at risk of becoming homeless.

There are lots of services to help you to stay in your current home, including help with financial difficulties, tenancy matters or relationship breakdown.

We will carry out a housing assessment and agree a personal housing plan with you to prevent homelessness - this duty lasts for 56 days and can end for several reasons including:

  • if we help you keep your home
  • if we help you to find alternative accommodation
  • if you refuse accommodation
  • if you do not co-operate with your personal housing plan
  • if you cease to be eligible, if you withdraw the application
  • if you lose contact with us
If you are already homeless (Relief)

Please complete the housing advice contact form if you are already homeless.

If you are actually homeless, there are certain circumstances when we will offer you temporary accommodation while we continue to help you find somewhere to live.

We will carry out a housing assessment and agree a personal housing plan to help you find alternative accommodation - this duty usually lasts for 56 days and can end for several reasons including:

  • if we help you to find alternative accommodation
  • if you refuse accommodation
  • if you do not co-operate with your personal housing plan
  • if you cease to be eligible
  • if you withdraw the application
  • if you lose contact with us
  • if you have no local connection you may be referred to another authority if it is save to do so
If we have been unable to help you relieve your homelessness

If we cannot help you to keep your home or find you alternative accommodation then you will be assessed under the Housing Act 1996 when the 56 day relief duty has ended. There is only a duty to continue to provide temporary accommodation if you meet the following 5 criteria:

Your connection to the district will also be considered. If you do not have a local connection to this area then you may be referred to another local authority for assistance if it is safe to do so.

 

More information about Homelessness Reduction Act

If you would like more information about the Homeless Reduction Act and the new duties please see the following links:

Other online housing advice

You can also get housing advice online through:

Ex-service personnel

Domestic abuse

Please see our domestic abuse page for information and guidance. 

Rough Sleepers

Please see our rough sleepers page for information.

Care Leavers

Who is a Care Leaver?

The definition of a Care Leaver is a young person aged 16-25 years old who has been ‘looked after’ at some point since they were 14 years old and were in care on or after their 16th birthday.  Care leavers are entitled to some ongoing help and support from Children’s Services after they leave care. 

There are different categories of Care Leavers depending on age, when the Care Leaver was in care and for how long.

Resources

Hospital Leavers

If you do not have anywhere to go after leaving hospital, you need to speak to the Hospital Discharge Worker as soon as possible.  They will either work with you to find accommodation or refer you to us for specialist advice and assistance.  If you need advice or assistance please complete our Housing Advice contact form

Housing advice contact form

Leaving Prison

For information about the support available please see https://www.gov.uk/leaving-prison/support-when-someone-leaves-prison.  If you need do not have anywhere to live on leaving prison, the prison will either work with you to find accommodation and or refer you to us for specialist advice and assistance.  If you need advice or assistance please complete our Housing Advice contact form

Housing advice contact form

Contact us

The Housing Options Team
Tel:
01444-477574
Email: housingadvice@midsussex.gov.uk

Out of Hours Homeless Emergencies

If you have an emergency that is out of hours then please call 01444-458166
Last updated: 09 February 2024