Home Options Newport

Homelessness prevention services are availble to anyone who is considered to be at risk of homelessness within 56 days or actually considered to be homeless.  This service is provided by the Council under the provisions of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.  The options available will vary based upon individual circumstances and it is therefore difficult to outline what services will be offered.  However the services can include:

• advice, information and guidance on your housing options
• help to either maintain your existing home or find other accommodation
• practical help and assistance with finding private rented housing
• referrals to other agencies for further assistance (for example - debt management)
• mediation services
• provision of support services where appropriate
• help with completing forms and referrals for other services

In any event, you will be advised of the options open to you and will be provided with clear help, assistance and guidance on what can be done to help you to resolve your housing difficulties where you are either homeless or at risk of being homeless within the next 56 days.  Even if you are not homeless or at risk of being made homeless then we will still offer you advice and practical help in resolving problems that you may have.

If you need help then you will need to make contact with a member of staff by either visiting the Information Station or through contacting on 01633 656656.  Alternatively you can also email rehousing.services@newport.gov.uk. 

Will I be provided with accommodation if I have nowhere to stay?

If you are homeless and have what is refered to as a priority need then we may be under a duty to find you temporary accommodation.  This will depend on your individual circumstances and will be based on an assessment carried out by an officer.  If you are not entitled to temporary accommodation then we will still do what we can to help you to find accommodation and, as the availability of accommodation changes on a daily basis, it is important to maintain contact with the person who you see when you visit the office.  They will be able to explain how you can be helped and what we will do to help, explaining also what is expected of you.

Unfortunately, demand for accommodation is extremely high in the area and you may have to carefully consider all the available options put forward to you as you may not be able to find your own accommodation immediately.

Will I get a tenancy through Home Options Newport if I am homeless?

Even if you are homeless or at risk of being made homeless in 56 days then you will not always be offered accommodation through Home Options Newport.

However, if you are homeless or at risk of being homeless within 56 days then you will be provided with additional priority on the Home Options scheme where you are eligible to register and meet the criteria to be awarded the priority based on the Home Options policy.  If you are awarded this priority you will not necessarily be offered accommodation and in some instances accommodation cannot be offered or provided through Home Options Newport given the level of demand and the availability of accommodation in the area.  In many cases the only available accommodation will be within the private rented sector and staff can help and assist you in finding accommodation in the private rented sector.

Unfortunately there is a limited amount of housing available through Home Options Newport and while the Council and partners will help you to find accommodation this does not mean that you will be offered accommodation through Home Options Newport with one of the Housing Association partners.  If you are homeless or at risk of being made homeless within 56 days then the Council has a duty to help you to find suitable accommodation which could, for example, be:

• private rented housing
• supported housing
• shared accommodation

Staff will be able to explain what can be done to help and outline what will be required of you in order to progress this further.

Need Independant Advice?

If you need independant advice and information then you can contact Shelter Cymru direct on 0345 075 5005 or visit their website.