Homelessness Policy and Procedure

FINAL DECISION

The outcome of the enquiries will determine the Council's response. These are as follows: -

If the applicant is deemed to be neither homeless nor threatened with homelessness, then the Council is not under a duty to provide accommodation but will provide advice and assistance.
If the applicant has a priority need but became homeless intentionally, then the Council is obliged to ensure that accommodation is made available for such a period as it considers will give him/her a reasonable opportunity to find his /her own accommodation. This is more significant if children are involved. (The period of time will depend on the individual's circumstances).
If the applicant is deemed to be threatened with homelessness but, either does not have a priority need or does have such a need but became homeless intentionally, then the Council will be only required to furnish the applicant with advice and appropriate assistance which will involve some form of temporary accommodation for a limited period to enable the applicant to secure their own secure accommodation, with the help and assistance of a Tenancy Support Worker .
If the applicant is homeless and has a priority need and did not become homeless intentionally, then the Council must ensure that accommodation becomes available for his occupation. Where an applicant satisfies the same conditions, but is only threatened with homelessness, the Council must take reasonable steps to ensure that accommodation does not cease to be available for his continuous occupation.

A final decision on a homeless application may be made after the interview or following the conclusion of investigations. The decision on a homeless application will determine what type of help the Council will provide for the applicant. This help should be tailored to meet the applicant's needs in order that a long-term solution is achieved. Liaison with other agencies may be required to achieve this.

Make a final decision once all necessary investigations into homelessness, threat of homelessness, priority need, intentionality and local connection, have been carried out.
Regard to the Code of Guidance should be made in reaching this decision.

N.B. Use the table on the next page which sums up the Council's principal duties and policy, as a guide to the actions to be taken after the final decision has been made. A check-list is also included in the Homeless Application form to ensure that all procedures have been followed.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN AFTER FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE

FINAL DECISION	ACTION TAKEN
Not Homeless / threatened with homelessness	Provide Advice and Assistance Issue Standard Letter
Homeless / Potentially Homeless, Priority Need, Unintentionally Homeless with a local connection	Provide Temporary Accommodation if necessary. Award Priority for Permanent Re-housing. Issue Standard Letter.
Homeless, Priority Need, Unintentionally Homeless with NO local connection with South Ayrshire Council but with a connection with another authority	Contact other authority to agree referral if there is no threat of violence in that authority. Provide Temporary Accommodation if necessary whilst agreeing referral.
Homeless with Priority Need but Intentionally Homeless	Provide Temporary Accommodation for a reasonable time to allow person to find own accommodation. Provide Advice and Assistance. Issue Standard Letter.
Homeless or Potentially Homeless WITHOUT Priority Need	Provide Advice and Assistance including Temporary Accommodation for a reasonable period, if necessary. Issue Standard Letter.
Lost Contact Prior to Making a Decision	Issue Standard Letter