Homeless Rights Advocacy Project report and resources

If the local authority does not take a homeless application when they should, this is a breach of statutory duty which can be challenged.

Homeless application toolkit

This toolkit outlines the right to make a homeless application and eligibility for homeless assistance. It provides information, resources, and the relevant legislation which will be useful when supporting someone to make a homeless application.

Letter templates for challenging when a client's homeless application is not taken

Use our letter templates when you are making a challenge on a client’s behalf. Each template can be downloaded and edited to suit your client's situation.

No accommodation provided

Use our no accommodation letter template when both of the following apply:

• the local authority has refused to take a client's homeless application

• your client has nowhere to stay

Living in unreasonable to occupy accommodation

Use our living in unreasonable to occupy accommodation letter template when both of the following apply:

• the local authority has refused to take a client's homeless application

• where your client is living is unreasonable to occupy

A local authority has a duty to provide temporary accommodation to a homeless person and their family which is suitable and takes account of their needs.

Unsuitable temporary accommodation can be challenged.

Right to suitable temporary accommodation toolkit

This toolkit outlines the right to suitable temporary accommodation. It provides information, resources and the relevant legislation, which can help when supporting someone accessing or staying in temporary accommodation.

Letter templates for challenging a client's unsuitable temporary accommodation

Use our letter templates when you are making a challenge on a client’s behalf.  Each template can be downloaded and edited to suit your client's situation.

B&B, hostel and hotel accommodation

Use our B&B, hostel and hotel accommodation letter template when your client has been there for more than 7 days and if the accommodation does not have any one or more of these:

• a toilet and bath/shower for the applicant’s exclusive use

• at least shared use of a living room

• at least shared adequate cooking facilities

Accommodation unsuitable for visitation by non-resident children

Use our unsuitable for visitation by non-resident children letter template when all of the following apply:

• a member of the homeless household has parental rights and responsibilities

• the temporary accommodation is not suitable for visitation by their children

• your client has been in the accommodation for more than 7 days

Unsuitable location

Use our unsuitable temporary accommodation locality letter template when your client has been in the accommodation for more than 7 days, and the accommodation is either:

• not reasonably accessible to the household’s workplaces, schools, and health and support services

• outwith the local authority area, and the household has not agreed to be accommodated there

Unsuitable accommodation for the household's accessibility needs

Use our unsuitable accommodation – accessibility needs of the household letter template if:

• the accommodation does not meet the accessibility needs of the homeless household and

• they have been accommodated in such accommodation for more than 7 days

Temporary accommodation is unsuitable if it does not meet the needs of the homeless household.