I need help with talking to the council

You don’t have to be sleeping on the streets to get help from your local council. If you are homeless or likely to become homeless in the next 56 days (this includes sofa surfing or staying somewhere temporarily) you should approach your council for help and it will have to follow the following procedures.

1. You will be able to make a homelessness application
2. The council will interview you and make an assessment of your circumstances and needs
3. If you meet certain criteria, you may be given interim accommodation while the council continues its assessment of what help, if any, to offer you
4. The council must inform you in writing of its decision about whether you are entitled to help – the letter will either be sent to you or left at the council’s offices for you to collect. If the council decides that it can’t help you, the letter must explain the reasons why.
5. You can ask for a review of the council’s decision, but you must do this within 21 days of receiving the decision letter, and we would recommend getting advice to help with this review process.
6. Even if the council decided that they can’t provide accommodation for you, you are still entitled to help and advice to avoid losing your home or to find somewhere else to live.

If you live in Cardiff and are aged 16-20 (inclusive), you can contact Llamau’s advice services which we run in partnership with the council. You can visit the office at 53 Charles Street, call 029 2087 3570 or email [email protected]

If you live in the Vale of Glamorgan and are aged 16-25, you can contact Llamau’s advice services which we run in partnership with the council. You can visit the JIGSO office at 236 Holton Road in Barry, call 01446 748852 or email [email protected]