Leaving Your Lodgings

Quick Guide

If you are lodging with friends or family and do not have your own accommodation, then if you are asked to leave you may have nowhere else to go. If this applies to you, then this advice sheet
may help you to understand your options. If you have been asked to leave If you are lodging and you have been asked to leave, contact the Housing Options Advice Centre as soon as you can. Our advisors will discuss your situation with you and advise you on what your immediate and
long term housing options are. They will support you by trying to negotiate with your friends/family to let you move back in with them, even if this is a short term measure to stop you being homeless. If you are still lodging but want to secure your own accommodation, it is much better
to stay where you are whilst you plan your move and find new accommodation. Our leaflet “housing options” will give you more information to help you plan your move.

Mediation

Sorting out difficult situations with the other people you are living with can be an easier and cheaper solution than finding somewhere new to live. Mediation can sometimes help people remain together or separate in a more amicable way. If you have been asked to leave and feel
that you need some “hands on” help sorting things out with your family, Wigan and Leigh
Housing may be able to arrange for mediation to take place, if this will help to prevent you becoming homeless. A mediator is a sort of neutral referee who can help you and the people you live with sort out your problems. They don’t take sides, they don’t decide ‘who is right’ and they
don’t tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll help you work things out for yourselves. If you are a young person experiencing problems, you could speak to your Connexions Advisor who may be able to mediate between you and your family. If you are interested in learning more about
mediation, then contact our Housing Options team.

What help can we give you?

If all else fails, and you don’t have a bed to sleep on for the night, temporary accommodation might be your only option. The Council has a duty to some, but not all, people to ensure that temporary accommodation is made available to them if they are homeless. They do not have to
provide temporary accommodation in all cases, although our advisors in our Housing Options team will do everything they can to help you find a place to stay. Our advisors can also give you advice and assistance to help you find more settled accommodation. This could include applying to go on the social housing register in this borough or another area, or renting from a private landlord.

If you have nowhere to stay tonight

There are a number of organisations that help people who have nowhere to stay. They have specialist knowledge of the problems you may have and the services available. They may be able to help you find somewhere to live or give you practical advice about safety, medical care and
claiming benefits. These include:

• Day centres (or drop-in centres)
• Hostels
• Night shelters

There is a new Day Centre in the borough at the Bricklayers Arms in Hallgate, Wigan. This is a drop-in centre for the homeless. It offers breakfast (Monday to Friday 9.30 – 1.00), food parcels, washing facilities and items to help you keep warm, such as hats, socks and sleeping bags. It also provides access to support and health services, including a support service for women in
crisis. An assessment will be carried out of your needs before help is given, to make sure the
most appropriate action is taken for your circumstances.

Ask for our advice note “no fixed abode” for more information on what these services for the homeless can offer and what is available in the borough. Useful contacts Please ask for the leaflet Useful Telephone Numbers, which lists contact numbers for all the advice groups and help mentioned on this page. You can also ask your adviser for the list of helpful web sites and e-mail addresses.