You are homeless or threatened with homelessness if:
- you have no accommodation that you can legally reside in or are likely to become homeless within 2 months
- your family, who normally live with you, are forced to live separately from you as you have no accommodation you can live in together
- you have accommodation, but you have, for example, been illegally evicted, or forcibly prevented from living in it
- you may be at risk of violence from someone living in the accommodation if you continue to live there
For more information read our Housing Advice in North Ayrshire leaflet (PDF, 1.5mb).
Next steps
If you are homeless or are likely to become homeless within the next 2 months an appointment can be arranged by telephoning 01294 314600. Alternatively, you can pop into our office and arrange a suitable appointment.
We operate a drop-in service for individuals who require emergency temporary accommodation. Please note that this is on a first come, first served basis and you may need to wait to be seen.
A housing options (PDF, 291kb) interview will discuss your circumstances. If you want to proceed with a homeless application, a Homeless Assessment Officer will help you with this process.
Out of hours
A Homeless out of hours service is available to anyone that needs help.
Free phone number: 0800 0196 500
Interview process
During your interview, we will discuss your housing options and record an application for homeless assistance. In line with legislation and to process your application, we will ask:
- whether you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 2 months of your interview
- whether you are homeless intentionally or not
- whether you have a local connection with North Ayrshire
We may ask you to provide confirmation of your current situation.
You should bring any letters, or documentation, relating to your homelessness. This will help us reach a quicker decision.
You may bring a relative, friend, advisor or other representative with you. We will ask if you would be more comfortable being interviewed by an officer of the same sex.
Information you give us is confidential. We will only use it to assess your application under the terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 Part II Homeless Persons (as amended by Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Part I and the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003).
Assessment
An assessment will be carried out based on information you provide. We will issue a formal written decision. This happens within 28 days of the date of your application.
We will look at whether you are intentionally homeless or not. This is where you have done something deliberately to cause yourself to be homeless such as not paying your rent or mortgage when you could afford to do so.
Another area which may be looked at will be if you have a local connection. You may have a local connection if:
- you have lived here for 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years
- you have permanent work in the area
- you have close relatives - mum, dad, brother or sister who have lived here for the past 5 years
- you have very special reasons why you must live in the area
Support
The Housing Support Team will help you, and members of your household, to manage your tenancy or temporary accommodation. Contact them by calling 01294 317370.
You can find more information in the Housing Support Information Pack (Word, 34kb).
Decision Review
You have the right to appeal any decision relating to your homeless application within 21 days of your decision being reached.
To request a review, you must write to the Principal Officer, Homelessness within 21 days of the decision. You should clearly state the reason for your request and why you think the decision should be changed. You will be entitled to free independent advice from the Community Housing Advisory Project (CHAP). CHAP can advocate on your behalf and assist with your written request.
