Most people who are homeless do not live on the streets; they are staying with friends or relatives, living in B&B or other temporary accommodation. Being homeless means you don't have a home but you may still have a roof over your head.

If you need to leave home in a hurry for your own safety, try to take the following with you:

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• National Insurance number
• Driving licence
• Benefit book
• Bank cards
• Cheque book
• Medication
• Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
• Immigration papers (if applicable)

If you can, leave as early in the day as possible and preferably early in the week as many agencies who can help may only be open during office hours and not at weekends

 Local authority emergency accommodation

If you are homeless and eligible, the Council may be able to offer you temporary accommodation if you are in priority need, in other words if you (or someone who lives with you):

• Are responsible for dependent children
• Are pregnant
• Are homeless because of flood, fire or other disaster
• Have a physical disability or learning difficulties or are elderly
• Have a mental health problem or are in special need in some way
• Are vulnerable for another reason

For more information contact Wandsworth's Housing Advice Service. You should tell the housing department about the following:

• Any medical problems you have
• If you are trying to escape from violence or abuse
• If you have spent time being looked after by social services
• If you have spent time in prison or the armed forces

 Emergency hostels and night shelters

Emergency Hostels can provide emergency accommodation for anything from a few days to a few months. They will usually ask you to pay. Hostels will often help you find permanent accommodation. Night shelters can often provide a place to stay for a few nights. They tend to be free and are more basic than hostels.

For details on how to get a place in an emergency hostel or night shelter call Shelter's Housing Advice Helpline 0808 800 4444.

 Refuges

Refuges are safe houses for women experiencing domestic violence and their children. Refuges are all different but all offer private bedrooms. Women can stay in a refuge for as long as they need to and the refuge will help to find permanent accommodation. For further details on how to get a place in a refuge call the National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247.

 Foyers

Foyers provide short-term accommodation for 16-25 year olds who are homeless or in housing need. Foyer accommodation is linked to education, training and employment. This usually involves signing a contract agreeing to spend a certain number of hours per week in work-related training. Foyers provide a learning environment for basic independent living skills and help young people to find employment. Duration of stay is usually up to two years, although the average length of stay is 9-12 months. Foyers will usually help to find permanent accommodation and provide ongoing support for the young person once they have left the foyer. Some foyers can be contacted directly by young people wishing to refer themselves but others will only accept referrals from local authorities. The foyer closest to Wandsworth is Grenfell Foyer. Self-referrals cannot be made but Grenfell will accept referrals from Wandsworth Council's Housing Advice Service.

 Supported Housing and Floating Support

Supported housing schemes offer care and assistance to enable vulnerable people to live independently. Young people may be vulnerable for a variety of reasons:

• Lone teenage parents or young pregnant women
• Young people leaving care
• Young people setting up home for the first time
• People with physical disabilities
• People with learning difficulties
• People with mental health problems
• People with alcohol or substance misuse problems
• People fleeing domestic violence or abuse
• Homeless people in temporary accommodation

The level of support varies according to the needs of the individual. Some supported schemes provide accommodation with support from staff on-site and others offer an outreach/floating service to tenants in their own homes providing support only when it is required. Support may be help with settling in, registering with a doctor, advice on managing a budget and coping with bills, information about benefits and rent arrears etc.

 Tenancy Support

Tenancy Support is offered by Wandsworth Borough Council Housing Department to council tenants who are vulnerable or having difficulties maintaining their tenancy. Those under 18 are offered Tenancy Support automatically upon sign-up. Tenancy Support Officers can provide support and advice on rent arrears, benefits, domestic budgeting, debt counselling, repair issues, neighbour disputes, and anti-social behaviour. They can also liaise with other agencies to ensure that the tenant is receiving appropriate specialist support and care.