Temporary Accommodation

Interim and temporary accommodation

If we believe that you are eligible for help, homeless and in priority need, we have a duty to provide temporary accommodation until we make a decision on your application.

If we approve your application, we will continue to provide temporary accommodation for you until we can offer you permanent accommodation

Initially this is likely to be in bed and breakfast type accommodation. This can depend on your own circumstances and the amount of notice we have been given regarding your homelessness. Housing Services will endeavour to move you out of bed and breakfast into other temporary accommodation as and when vacancies arise.

Temporary accommodation can range from the emergency use of bed and breakfast hotels, to accommodation managed by private agents and Housing associations. We also make referrals to supported temporary accommodation for people with special needs.

Whilst every effort will be made to provide temporary accommodation in an area of your choice, this cannot be guaranteed. Temporary accommodation is booked on the day it is needed and cannot be held in advance. As a result, we can only place people in the vacancies which arise, which may not be in an area of your choice. You will need to make your own arrangements for things such as doctors, schools and other local services.

You will remain in temporary accommodation until you are offered permanent accommodation through the Council’s Housing Register. Please be aware that you may have to wait a long time in temporary accommodation before we can offer you permanent housing. This is because the number of Housing Association properties becoming available in North Dorset is limited, and there are a lot of people waiting for accommodation.

What charges will there be?

If you receive benefits or are on a low income, you can claim Housing Benefit to help meet the cost of bed and breakfast accommodation. Housing Benefit staff will help you fill in a Housing Benefit form, but you must make sure that you supply all the documents needed to support your application. If you are working, you must pay the charges for your bed and breakfast accommodation to start with. However, you should still apply for Housing Benefit as you may be entitled to some help. Please be aware that your contribution to the cost of bed and breakfast may go up or down once your Housing Benefit claim is processed. Temporary accommodation is expensive often around £25 per person per night, the cost of which you are liable for.

Will I be given a choice of interim or temporary accommodation?

No, but you will have the opportunity to tell us about the type of housing you require. This will be taken into account when we allocate interim or temporary accommodation. If there are reasons why you want to be in a particular area, please let your Case Officer know and they will take this additional information into consideration. However, there is no guarantee that you will be placed in the area of your choice.

Unless there are very strong reasons why you cannot accept the interim or temporary accommodation we offer, you will be asked to accept it straight away. We usually make one offer of interim accommodation only and if you refuse this you may not be offered any other temporary accommodation until we make a decision on your case.

What happens if I refuse the interim or temporary accommodation?

Under the law, you cannot ask us to review the suitability of interim accommodation, but you can ask us to review the suitability of temporary accommodation. If you do not feel the offer of temporary accommodation is suitable, please contact Housing Services who will give you advice about requesting a review.

You should think very carefully before turning down an offer of interim or temporary accommodation. If we do not accept your reasons for refusal, our duty to provide you with accommodation will come to an end and you will have to find your own accommodation.

What may be acceptable reasons for refusing an offer?

• The property allocated is the wrong size to accommodate your household.
• Where there is a need for regular specialist medical treatment that cannot be provided at a local hospital or a hospital that is within travelling distance.
• Where a child attends a special school and this cannot be provided more locally, or where a change would prove detrimental to the child’s welfare.
• Where you would be contravening conditions of probation/court judgments in relation to yourself or any member of your household.
• Where the property is squatted at the time of offer, or where there are maintenance problems that cannot be repaired reasonably quickly.
• Other very special reasons, for example, where a child is on the Child Protection Register.

As far as possible, proof should be provided to confirm the information you have given to us for your refusal.

Can my temporary accommodation be cancelled at any time?

Yes, but only with good reason. Some examples are listed below:

If you:

• do not keep appointments with us,
• do not provide the documents we ask for,
• do not take reasonable care of the accommodation,
• do not accept other offers of interim or temporary accommodation made to you,
• do not pay your share of the charges for the interim or temporary accommodation
• have not been staying in your room,
• do not find or accept and move into any suitable settled offer of accommodation available to you,
• are asked to leave by the proprietor because of your behaviour or that of any member of your household or that of any guests you may have visiting,
• or you, your visitors or any member of your family behaves in a racist, sexist or aggressive way, or cause nuisance to other residents.

Housing Benefit

Housing Application Form

Housing Benefit Calculator