Homelessness

We have a duty to provide people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness with advice and appropriate assistance.

• If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness
• Your right to a review

Rough Sleepers »

Rough sleeping is the most serious form of homelessness and if you are concerned about a person sleeping rough please contact us.

Homelessness strategy

The four East Kent authorities of Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet have developed a combined homelessness strategy:

• East Kent Homelessness Prevention Strategy
• East Kent Homelessness Prevention Strategy Action Plan

We are currently consulting on our new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 – 2024. To view the strategy and have your say, click here.

Useful information

• How to rent – a checklist for renting in England
• How to Rent a Safe Home - a guide for current and prospective tenants in England 
• How to rent – a checklist for renting in England (for landlords)
• Moving On or Moving In – advice for those who need access to rented accommodation
• Lodgers – have you thought of taking in a lodger?
• Mortgage advice – useful information if you are worried about your mortgage
• Storage & removals – a list of local storage and removal companies
• Where to get help with debts – a local Shelter advice centre or Citizens Advice bureau may be able to help if you're worried about debt
• Managing money for young adults – useful tips for managing money
• Under 25’s money  saving tips – useful money saving tips from Martin Lewis
• Floating support – housing related support for vulnerable adults
• Home essentials in a crisis – help if you are having serious difficulties managing your income due to a crisis
• Universal Credit and landlords - these guides explain what Universal Credit means for landlords.
• 50+ tips for renters - rental rights + more
• https://myurbanjungle.com/explore/blog/house-viewing-checklist-for-renters/
• Interested in relocating to the North East? - Please see this website for more information 

Useful contacts

• Citizens Advice Bureau
  Dover, Deal and District Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent local charity which provides free information and advice to everyone who needs it regardless of race, sex, colour, disability, sexuality or nationality. The Service is free, independent, confidential and impartial.
  
  The Citizens Advice service is the UK's largest advice provider, with nearly half the population using the service at some point in their lives.
  The Cedars, 26 Victoria Road, Deal, Kent, 01304 374333
  Maison Dieu Gardens, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent, 01304 202442

• Shelter 

  The Shelter Helpline, 0808 800 4444 is available to all residents in Kent. This is a free service available every day of the year from 8am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition they have web based advice information, diagnostic tests and downloadable leaflets.

• Local Government Ombudsmen
  Local Government Ombudsman, 10th floor, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London SW1P 4QP

• Royal British Legion – housing and homelessness help and advice for those that have served in the Forces. The Royal Legion serves anyone who has been paid 7 days or more including reserves.
  They:
  • serve husbands, wives, children (under 17), under 21 year olds in further education, partners, reserves, army, navy, armed forces.
  • provide grants for the essentials
  • help with completing statutory benefit forms
  • provide advocacy around homelessness
  • have 6 care homes – 4 with specialist dementia services 
  • have team of advisers for debt advice – 0808 802 8080
  • assist divorced people until they re-marry but children would continue to be supported even after marriage
  • have a veterans Gateway in Aylesford – Royal British Legion Village – 0808 802 1212

Contact the Housing team

Tel: 01304 872265