Homelessness support and advice

If you are homeless advice is available from our housing advice team.

If you are threatened with homelessness or about to become homeless, don’t delay! We will do everything we can to prevent you becoming homeless in the first place or help you find housing which meets your needs. Get advice now before there is a crisis.

Ask for help with homelessness

Out of hours assistance

If accommodation is needed in an emergency outside of office hours please:

Please call our mainline number 01285 623000

Christmas

If you become homeless over the Christmas period, and have nowhere to stay that night, please call 01285 623000 and select the relevant option from the menu.

Legally homeless

We must help if you’re legally homeless, but how much depends on your eligibility, your level of need and if your homelessness is your fault. We are guided by the law that instructs us who is legally homeless.

Help to meet your housing needs

If we can't offer you a home because you are not legally homeless, we may still be able to help with your housing problem. One of our housing advisors can go through all the housing options open to you.

Rough sleepers

If you are concerned about someone who may be sleeping rough please contact StreetLink via their website.

All concerns raised through StreetLink will be passed to P3 Charity, which provides the Gloucestershire Assertive Outreach Team on behalf of all six Local Authorities in Gloucestershire.

Extreme cold weather increases the risk of death and serious illness for those who are sleeping outside on the streets.

During periods of extreme cold weather we operate a severe weather emergency protocol whereby if the temperature drops below zero we can provide emergency shelter and a bed during the cold weather period.

For more advice on homelessness please contact our housing advice team on 01285 623000.

Duty to Refer - Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

Advice to Public Authorities:

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Homelessness (Review Procedure etc.) Regulations 2018 have introduced a new legal duty on specified public authorities to refer service users that may be homeless or threatened with homelessness to a local housing authority in England. This is in force from the 1st October 2018.

If you are a public authority specified within the legislation, or any other organisation wishing to make a referral to Cotswolds District Council, please follow the Ask us for Help with Homelessness link.

The six Gloucestershire housing authorities are developing a county-wide procedure to support the new duty. When making referrals, partners are expected to consult and follow this procedure and the principles of the local agreement within it. This will help realise the true potential of the new duty for the people of Gloucestershire.

Full details or the procedure will be available here shortly. In the meantime if you have any queries or problems completing a referral, please email dutytorefer@cotswold.gov.uk.

Renewal of the Preventing Homelessness Strategy – a new strategy will be adopted in early 2025.

Given that the current Preventing Homelessness Strategy has reached its review date, it is essential to affirm our ongoing commitment to preventing homelessness within the community. As we enter this new phase, the current strategy will be rolled over until early 2025 with a continued focus on the key priorities outlined in the original plan, while ensuring alignment with emerging challenges and opportunities.

Key points of focus for the rollover will include:

Review and Adjustment: While the core objectives remain valid, the strategy will be reviewed for any necessary adjustments based on the most recent data and evolving circumstances in housing, social services, and public policy.
Sustained Collaboration: Continued partnership with local organizations, housing authorities, and community groups will be vital to ensure effective implementation and to build upon the successful interventions already in place.
Monitoring and Reporting: We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that we track progress effectively and adapt quickly to any unforeseen challenges.
Community Engagement: Engaging with those affected by homelessness and those at risk will continue to be a cornerstone of our approach, ensuring that the strategy remains relevant and impactful.

By rolling over the Preventing Homelessness Strategy until the full review is complete, we aim to provide stability, build on past successes, and ensure that we continue to make meaningful progress in preventing homelessness across the community.