How we can help

If you are not safe in your home you should contact us immediately. If you are experiencing domestic violence and want to speak to Leeds Housing Options, you can request:  

• to see a specially trained worker for your housing assessment
• to see either a female or male advisor
• for your housing assessment to be carried out at a place you choose

If you are aged 16 to 21 and have been asked to leave home by your parents or guardians, you can get in contact with Leeds Housing Options by email if you are at risk of being homeless within the next 56 days 

If you have nowhere to stay tonight and at immediate risk of being homeless, contact Leeds Housing Options 

The mental health homeless team (MHHT) provide a dedicated support service for people who are faced with homelessness and who also have mental health problems. 

Find out if you are eligible for support. 

If you have dependent children and do not qualify for homelessness assistance, you will be referred to Children’s Services for additional support.

To make sure you can live as independently as possible in your home, support and specialist equipment is available to make daily tasks easier. Find out about the support and house adaptations you can receive to stay living in your own home. 

If you are being asked to leave your home by family or friends or if you are going through a break up we may be able to: 

• speak to the people you live with and ask for an extension
• give you advice on mediation, counselling and long term housing support
• help you find other long term housing

To get more tailored advice if you are being asked to leave by family or friends, complete the AdviceAid questionnaire. 

If you are unable to pay your rent, mortgage or pay a deposit for a new property we may be able to: 

• offer you a home through our Private Sector Lettings Scheme
• give advice and put you in touch with money and debt specialists
• negotiate with your landlord
• give you advice on benefits and council tax support

To get more tailored advice if you are unable to pay your rent, mortgage or a deposit, complete the AdviceAid questionnaire. 

If you need help with debt, you can also contact StepChange who are a charity offering free debt advice, or visit Money Advice Service. 

If you are having problems with your landlord or have been served an eviction notice we can: 

• negotiate with your landlord
  
• give you advice on your rights as a tenant
• check if your landlord has followed the proper steps

To get more tailored advice if you are at risk of eviction, complete the AdviceAid questionnaire. 

Patients in a general ward

If you are in a general ward, speak to the ward sister or ward manager. Leeds Housing Options can work with the hospital to complete assessments with you in the ward and also see if there are any adaptations to help you stay in your home. 

Patients in a mental health ward

If you are a patient in a mental health ward, speak to a Community Links worker based at the hospital. Community Links will work with Leeds Housing Options to make sure that you have housing available when you leave hospital. 

You can speak to a housing advice and resettlement worker at the prison as soon as you know your release date. You can also set up an assessment with one of Leeds Housing Options specially trained housing workers. 

If you are leaving care you will be able to access housing support from your social worker or personal advisor. If you don’t have anywhere to live, your social worker will arrange and attend an appointment with you.

If you have lost contact with your personal advisor, Leeds Housing Options can arrange another one for you if you are either:

• a care leaver under 21
• a care leaver under 25 and in full time education