If you are homeless in Bury or likely to become homeless in the near future, advice on homelessness and social housing support in Bury is available - here are some steps you can take to help you stay safe, well and supported.
Take Action Now
If you are facing homelessness, you may be experiencing a great deal of stress and anxiety, which is why it’s important to get support as soon as possible.
Contact your local council as soon as possible to let them know about your situation - ideally within eight weeks if you know you are about to become homeless. If your local council is unable to provide you with the support you need, you can be referred to an alternative council in another area.
If you suddenly find yourself homeless, contact your local council immediately.
You can contact Bury Council by visiting, calling or emailing them:
- Visit: Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0SW between 10:00 - 13:00 Monday - Friday.
- Call: 0161 253 5537 between 09:00 - 17:00 Monday - Friday or 0161 253 6606 out of hours.
- Email: hat@bury.gov.uk.
For more information, please visit Bury Council website.
Legally Qualifying as Homeless
If the council decides that you are legally homeless, they must usually
- Assess your situation
- Agree a plan to help you find accommodation
- Arrange for emergency accommodation depending on your circumstances.
Completing a Housing Assessment
Your council can also help you complete a referral form for a housing Assessment and help you find practical steps you can take depending on your situation. The amount of support available depends on things such as old age, eligibility for assistance or if you are in a priority need group.
You are in a priority need group if:
- You or someone you live with is pregnant
- Dependent children’ live with you (under 16s or under 19s if they’re studying full-time)
- You’re ‘vulnerable‘, for example as a result of old age or disability
- You’re homeless after a flood, fire or other disaster
If the council decides that you are not classed as legally homeless, they should provide you with a letter explaining why. If you think the decision is wrong you can request a review within 21 days. Find out how here.
You can contact Bury Council Housing Assessment Team by visiting, calling or contacting them online.
Visit: Housing Assessment Team – Housing Advice & Homelessness, Town Hall Knowsley Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0SW (opening hours 9:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday)/
Call: 0161 253 5537 between 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday.
You can also contact them online here.
Complete a referral to the Housing Assessment Team here.
You can view or update your personal housing plan here.
If you are at Risk of Eviction
If you are at risk of eviction or if you have concerns about the following, seek help from your local council immediately. If you have already been served an eviction notice, seek advice and support before acting upon it.
Ask the council for help as soon as your landlord begins the eviction process - this usually involves a Section 21 and sometimes also a Section 8 Notice. If you have had a Section 21 Notice and are struggling to find accommodation, you can contact the council eight weeks before your notice period ends.
If you are a tenant and have been served a Section 21 Notice or if you are a landlord serving a Section 21 Notice, use this checklist to ensure it is valid.
Finding Support
If you are facing homelessness, you are not alone - help is available. The following resources may be able to help you depending on what you need:
Support to help you through the process, or for if you don’t legally qualify as homeless:
Drop-in centres are currently available Monday to Friday and may be able to offer support on a range of different things such as assistance with filling out forms, coping with drug and alcohol abuse or providing social meet-ups to help you feel less isolated.
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Support
If you require urgent help, please call your local urgent mental health helpline (listed on the NHS website), or dial 111. If there is an immediate risk of danger to life please dial 999.
The Samaritans (freephone 116 123) offer immediate support 24 hours a day, year-round.
The Getting Helpline (01614643679) is a local service for support with mental and emotional health. The helpline is available between Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm (please note The Getting Help Line offers non-clinical support).
Help with the Basics
There are a number of local services who can help with finding food and personal items such as blankets, shoes, sleeping bags and sanitary products.
- Period Poverty works with homeless charities to provide sanitary protection such as tampons and towels.
- Baby Basics is a Sheffield-based organisation set up to support new mothers and their families with practical items such as toiletries and other essential baby equipment.
For advice on medical support, where to find your local GP and how to get help with paying for medications, please visit the NHS website.
Additional Support and Services
Further resources and links to support can be found at https://www.bury.gov.uk/homeless including information and advice on:
- Being asked to leave by family and friends
- Domestic abuse
- Leaving hospital while homeless
- Leaving Prison while homeless
- Homeless members of the armed forces
- Young people including care leavers
Further support and local services can be found via the following organisations:
For more information, visit https://theburydirectory.co.uk/categories/housing-homelessness
Last Updated: 9th Sep 2021, 12:43