This information is a basic guide to your housing rights if you are homeless. Get advice as soon as you think you might have to leave your present home. The Council may be able to help you keep your home, but even if you should become homeless, the sooner you tell us the better.
Ipswich Borough Council only has a legal duty to find housing for certain people (Housing Act 1996, Part VII as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002). In the first instance you must be eligible for assistance. Most households will be, but if you are subject to immigration control, please ask for more information.
Who is Homeless
People are homeless if:
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they have nowhere to stay that night
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they have been staying where they have no legal right to remain
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they have a home but are afraid to live there because of threats of violence
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they have nowhere they can live with their family or people with whom they normally live
If any of these circumstances apply or are likely to apply within the next 28 days then Ipswich Borough Council must provide assistance.
Priority Need
The law states that certain people have a Priority Need.
Examples of those considered by Ipswich Borough Council to be in priority need are:
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people with dependant children
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pregnant women
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people made homeless by fire, flood or other emergency
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people who are vulnerable - this can include:
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the elderly;
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people with a physical disability;
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people who have a mental illness or disability;
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people without children who have suffered violence;
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young people
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ex members of HM Forces;
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ex prisoners;
Each case will be assessed individually on its merits.
If you are considered NOT in Priority Need then the Council do not have a legal duty to make available suitable housing if you become homeless. You will, however, be given advice and assistance as appropriate on finding somewhere to live.
Intentionally Homeless
The Council will also consider if you are intentionally homeless.
People who are intentionally homeless have deliberately done something or failed to do something which results in them losing their accommodation.
If you have a priority need but are considered intentionally homeless the Council will only arrange accommodation for a reasonable time to allow you to find your own accommodation (for example 28 days).
Local Connection
To have a local connection with Ipswich you or anyone who normally lives with you must either:
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have lived in Ipswich for a certain time
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have a permanent job in Ipswich
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have certain family associations with Ipswich
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have other special circumstances
If you are in priority need, not intentionally homeless but do not have a local connection the Council will usually ask another Council to find accommodation for you where you do have a local connection.
Accommodation
If you are in priority need, NOT intentionally homeless and have a local connection with Ipswich, the Council will make accommodation available to you. The Council's duty to accommodate you will continue until one of the following circumstances occurs:
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you cease to be 'eligible' for assistance
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you become homeless intentionally from the accommodation made available to you
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you accept an offer of accommodation through the Council's Housing Register (Part VI - Housing Act 1996)
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you accept an offer of an Assured Tenancy from a private landlord
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you voluntarily vacate the accommodation made available to you
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you refuse an offer of accommodation through the Council's Housing Register having been informed of the consequences
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you accept an offer of a suitable Assured Shorthold tenancy from a private landlord
All secure Council and Housing Association tenancies are allocated by means of Housing Registers (sometimes called Waiting Lists).
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED A HOUSING REGISTER APPLICATION FORM. A HOUSING ADVISORY OFFICER CAN ASSIST YOU.