Homelessness and Emergency Housing

If the council offices are closed an emergency call out service is available on 01200 444448 or visit Shelter's expert online advice.

Emergency accommodation

Unfortunately there are no emergency hostels in the Ribble Valley.

Other useful contacts for hostels and emegerency accommodation are:

 Salvation Army                                       Blackburn                             01254 677338

 Nightsafe                                                Blackburn                             01254 503067

 Crossroads                                              Accrington                           01254 389157

 Emmaus Project                                      Burnley                                01282 430860

 Maundy Relief                                        Accrington                           01254 232328

If you want to pass on advice to someone who you think may be becoming homeless you can download our leaflets on Homelessness in the Ribble Valley. 

What to do if you are threatened with homelessness/already homeless

If you believe that you are threatened with homelessness (where you are likely to become homeless in 56 days) or you are homeless please complete the Homelessness Enquiry Form.

When we receive your form we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your situation. We may need to make an appointment for you to come and see us so we can get further information and take a copy of your id. This information may include a copy of a notice, rent statement, possession order etc.

If you have any questions about the form or you need to speak to us directly, contact 01200 414551 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.) For out of hours homeless emergencies contact 01200 444448.

Your enquiry may progress to a homeless application which could then take one of two routes: Prevention Duty or the Relief Duty.

What is the Prevention Duty?

The Prevention Duty is owed to you when we can confirm that you are likely to become homeless in 56 days and that you are eligible for assistance. We check whether you have a local connection to the area as it may be that another authority is better placed to help you in the long term. A letter is sent to you to explain this and we produce a Personal Housing Plan for you (after an assessment of your circumstances). The plan outlines the steps you and the Council can take to try and help you stay in your accommodation or secure other accommodation. The Council are committed to working with you for at least 56 days to prevent your homelessness. The duty can be ended in the following ways:

• 56 days has elapsed
• Deliberate and unreasonable refusal to co-operate by the applicant
• Applicant has suitable accommodation for at least 6 months
• Applicant has become homeless intentionally
• Applicant is no longer eligible for assistance
• Applicant withdraws their application

The Prevention Duty will role on to the Relief Duty if you do go on to become homeless.

What is the Relief Duty?

The Relief Duty is owed to you when we can confirm that you are homeless and eligible for assistance. If at this stage we believe that you are homeless, eligible and in priority need we also have a duty to provide interim accommodation whilst we look further into your situation. We are committed to working with you for at least 56 days to relieve your homelessness. The Relief Duty can be ended in the following ways:

• 56 days has elapsed
• Deliberate and unreasonable refusal to co-operate
• Applicant has suitable accommodation for at least 6 months
• Refusal of suitable final accommodation or final part 6 offer
• Applicant becomes intentionally homeless
• Applicant is no longer eligible for assistance
• Applicant withdraws homeless application

It may be the case that a full homeless duty is owed if you meet certain criteria. This is when the Council have to ensure suitable accommodation is found for you. It is usually determined at the end of the 56 day period.

Making a referral

If you are making a referral on behalf of somebody else and are a public authority/charity/other organisation see Duty of Public Authority to Refer.  If you are a member of the public and want to refer a family member or friend etc click here and then on ‘Someone else needs help.’

Steps which may be useful to resolve a homelessness situation

Listed below are some generic steps which may be useful to help you/others to resolve your/their housing situation:

• Register for social housing with Onward Homes and/or B With Us (this covers Blackburn, Hyndburn, Burnley and Padiham, Pendle and Rossendale). For the Onward application further information is also required such as proof of id. and for the main applicant proof of address e.g. utility bill, council tax bill, driving licence and reference e.g. from landlord, employer, professional person or long standing friend.  
• Look for housing in the private sector.  Websites such as rightmove, zoopla, gumtree, dssmove, in newspapers, social media, windows.
• Are house shares an option? You may want to consider registering at www.spareroom.co.uk
• In some cases supported accommodation may be an option – this is usually accessed through the Council

Find a Home There is a useful booklet available to download which covers some key areas. If you need information on Local Housing Allowance rates please click the link  insert

We recognise that sometimes people may come to us with varying needs and in difficult circumstances.  Below are some links to particular homeless/housing situations