I'm homeless - what now?

You may have nowhere to sleep tonight. Even in this situation you can still get help. There is some emergency accommodation available, but it can be hard to get. See the end of this chapter for useful numbers to call in this situation.

The first thing you can try if you have nowhere to stay tonight is to find out if you can stay with friends or relations or family until you can sort things out. This can be the best option as you'll be staying with people you know and having a roof over your head is a lot better than sleeping rough. If they can't help, or it's only temporary, look at the options below.

In Gloucestershire there is a Countywide Young People's Housing Advice Service. It will help with any aspect of housing advice for 16-24 year olds, who do NOT have dependant children. Three agencies provide advice as part of this network.

Shelter provides an access point in the 4 rural districts of Gloucestershire; Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury, Cotswolds and Stroud. Glofysh (Gloucester Forum for Young Single Homeless) give advice to Gloucester residents and CHAC advises the young people of Cheltenham. Please contact the relevant organisation if you are in need of housing advice, and they will give you an appointment or tell you when the next -?drop in' service will be held.

• More Help

You can seek advice from your local housing advice service. They will give you guidance and information on your rights and options, and assistance and advocacy with making plans appropriate to your circumstances. Check the contacts at the end of this section for details of these services in your area.

Your local council may also be able to help you. If you fit certain criteria they should book accommodation quickly - but you are likely to have little control over what or where this may be.

Thanks to Shelter for their help in compiling this chapter.

Telephone helplines It is always worth getting advice. Ring Shelterline, on 0808 800 4444, a 24 hour nationwide freephone housing advice service.

Online information Shelternet (www.housemate.org.uk, or www.shelternet.org.uk) can give you more online information on about getting help or advice in a crisis.

Nightstop Is an emergency overnight accommodation provided by volunteer hosts in their own home. This is a temporary -?breathing space' for 16-24 year olds. Referral is by a Housing Advisor, Youth Worker or the Council.

• Other emergency options

Sleeping rough can be dangerous and should be avoided if at all possible. So try these options:

Hostels/night shelters

Some hostels will take people immediately if they have a vacancy but others won't. It's always better to ring first as they may be full. The agencies listed at the end of the chapter will be able to tell you about hostels in your area.

You will probably have to share a room. Many hostels provide meals but you will probably have to pay for them. Some have curfews and/or shut during the day.

Apart from a few emergency nightshelters, hostels will charge rent. This can be high and they will expect you to claim housing benefit if you don't have any money. Hostel staff will help you with this.

Women's refuges

If you are a young woman who has left home because of violence or threats of violence a women's refuge can provide a safe place to stay. They are usually ordinary houses shared by women and children. Male visitors are not usually allowed. The addresses of refuges are kept secret to protect residents. To contact a refuge in your area see the Women's Aid website (www.womensaid.org.uk) or ring the Women's Aid 24 hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Getting benefits when you have nowhere to live

A person without a home has the same right to claim benefits as anyone else. If you are homeless you can make a claim for benefits at your local Benefits Agency office or Jobcentre. Giros are usually posted but you may have to pick up your giro from the Agency's office, Jobcentre or local post office. You have to provide evidence of your identity to get benefits, but the Benefits Agency office or Jobcentre should be flexible about this if you are homeless.

If you need money immediately you can apply for a crisis loan until your benefit comes through. For more information about this, and the different types of benefits and how to claim them, look at the Benefits chapter.

Running Away?

If you are thinking of running away from home or you have run away before, you can contact the Astra project on 0800 389 4992 for help and support. The project provides a confidential countywide service and offers support, advice and information to young people up to 18 years old who have run away or been forced to leave their home. This may be from their family home, foster care or a residential unit.

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