Housing options for young people

If you are homeless the local council may be able to help you, depending on your circumstances. If you think you are about to become homeless you should get information and advice as soon as possible by contacting Wandsworth's Housing Advice Service on  020 8871 6840. If you are vulnerable for other reasons then supported housing schemes can offer care and assistance to enable you to live independently.

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 on  020 8871 6840. 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