Are you homeless or threatened with homelessness?

If you’re leaving prison and are homeless or threatened with homelessness, then you may want to seek advice and support from our Housing Solutions service - contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.

How we can help

We’ll help to identify your support needs and work with you to relieve your homelessness by developing a personal housing plan. This will identify actions that need to be carried out by yourself and us. It may include:

• engaging with organisations that help ex-offenders
• looking for suitable private rented accommodation

What to bring to your housing appointment

We’ll need to determine if you’re eligible for assistance. If you’re offered an appointment you must bring with you:

• valid passport
• full birth certificate
• valid immigration documents (if applicable)

Also, you will need to provide a risk assessment from your probation officer if you have one.

If you're a former member of the armed forces who is now homeless, or if you're planning to leave the armed forces and facing the threat of becoming homeless, you may wish to approach the Housing Solutions service for assistance and advice. Contact details can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you approach us for assistance, we'll consider:

• how long you were in the armed forces and what role you had
• whether you spent any time in a military hospital
• if you've been issued a medical history release form and released from service on medical grounds
• how long it's been since you left the armed services
• whether you've been able to find and maintain your own accommodation since leaving the armed forces
• your existing support networks

Housing register applications

If you make a housing register application you may qualify under the armed forces local residence exceptions.

If you're homeless or threatened with homelessness and are due to be discharged from hospital soon, it's important that you inform hospital staff immediately. They'll be able to arrange for appropriate support.

An assessment will take place in order to determine whether you:

• are genuinely homeless
• have a priority need for rehousing consideration
• are otherwise significantly more vulnerable than an average person
• locally connected to Luton

We're able to give housing advice and provide you with the best suited 'personal housing plan' to prevent or relieve your homelessness. We'll:

• identify whether there is anywhere for you to return to or negotiate for your return if possible
• work with you to obtain settled housing
• discuss your options for housing and work with you to prevent homelessness
• work with a range of other agencies to assess whether you are likely to need help living independently - this may include the involvement on an occupational therapist to determine your housing needs

If hostel, refuge or other forms of temporary accommodation are required, we'll identify the most suitable options and search for availability.

Care leavers with a local connection to Luton may be eligible for housing and financial assistance depending on their age and circumstances.

• personal advisor: provides support until age 25, including housing, life skills, education, and employment
• additional help: rent deposit schemes, eviction prevention, council tax exemption, and access to the Care Leavers Grant
• housing advice: speak to your advisor or social worker for guidance as you approach 18.

For further information, advice and help please read the Care leavers homelessness advice pack or you can find out more about the Council’s Care leavers local offer.

Mental ill health can impact anyone however those threatened with or experiencing homelessness are at particular risk.

Luton Borough Council is here to assist you and will work with other relevant statutory and non-statutory service providers to take reasonable steps to prevent your homelessness and provide you with meaningful support.

For further information, advice and help please read the Mental health and homelessness advice pack.

There are also a wide variety of organisations who provide mental health support services on the Luton Directory.

Rough sleeping is the most visible form of homelessness. There are many reasons why someone may be sleeping rough. These include mental health issues, drug or alcohol misuse and economic difficulties.

There are many services in Luton that can provide support including those delivered by charities, voluntary organisations and faith groups.

If you or someone you know of is sleeping rough, please read the Rough sleepers advice pack for further information, advice and help.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available. Luton Borough Council can provide advice if you are unable to stay in your home due to domestic abuse. Please contact the Housing Solutions Team.

Further advice and support is available via the 24-hours free National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

If you are in immediate danger, you should always call the Police on 999.

If you are unable to talk, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police. In a non-emergency situation, call 101.

For further information, advice and help please read the Domestic abuse and homelessness advice pack.