Homelessness advice and support

Please do not wait until you are actually homeless before contacting us.

Our ability to prevent homelessness is improved if we are given the opportunity to intervene and assist you with housing problems sooner rather than later.

We may be able to offer advice and assistance that allows you to remain in your home, or we may be able to help you find alternative accommodation in the private sector, helping you with a rent deposit if necessary.

Housing advice

If you are a private tenant, housing association tenant or homeowner and need housing advice, our housing advice service can help you with a range of issues such as:

• landlord and tenant issues
• your rights to stay in your home
• housing debt such as mortgage or rent arrears
• private renting

Homeless prevention: domestic violence

If you are a victim of domestic violence and need help with accommodation, the homeless service is available to offer advice and assistance. Our service is completely confidential, you will be interviewed in private, we will try to ensure you are seen by an officer of the same gender as yourself and we can provide translation where needed.  We also have a team of officers who specialise in assisting clients fleeing domestic violence.

More information about support and advice available for victims of domestic violence.

Homeless support

If we cannot prevent you from becoming homeless or are unable to find you a new home, then we may provide you with temporary accommodation if you are in one of the following groups:

• you have dependent children
• someone in your household is expecting a child
• you are a child aged 16 or 17
• you are under 21 and have been previously ‘looked after’ or fostered between the ages of 16 and 17
• you are vulnerable due to old age, mental illness, physical disability, institutionalisation, or some other special reason
• you are homeless due to fire, flood or some other emergency

Please remember that we are responding to a crisis situation. We therefore have to rely on using bed and breakfast hotels and properties outside of the borough’s boundaries. Typically, these can be of a smaller size than your ideal requirement.

The severe housing shortage usually means spending many years in temporary accommodation while bidding for a permanent home. The wait for a two-bedroom property is around three years and a three-bedroom property means waiting for around five years. See the homeseekers housing demand information web page for more information.

We realise the difficulties this can cause with schooling, employment etc., so making a homeless application should be seen as a last resort.

Remember that homelessness is not a fast track to a council tenancy.  Any time previously spent on the waiting list will be ignored and you will be given a new registration date.  In addition to this, you will be limited to one offer of permanent accommodation.

Download Moving and storing your belongings (PDF, 278k)

Homeless options and support team (HOST)

If you do not fall into one of the groups listed above we may still be able to assist you. HOST can provide advice and assistance to single homeless people in Tower Hamlets.

HOST can provide advice on housing options such as:

• referral and signposting to agencies offering support and assistance
• assessment of support needs and match to local services
• access to private rented accommodation
• referral to local supported housing
• advice and information about other housing options

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide emergency accommodation on the day for most single people who request assistance.

Download more information on HOST (PDF, 292k)

How to contact us

In the first instance, it is best to telephone us. We will take brief details and advise you of how we propose to deal with your situation. If you cannot telephone, then we will see you at our office.

Homeless and housing advice services
Albert Jacob House
62 Roman Road
Bethnal Green
London
E2 0PG

Tel: 020 7364 7474
Fax: 020 7364 7222

Email: homeless@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open: Monday - Friday   9.30am - 4pm

Access: Wheelchair access. Hearing loop in reception

Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green
Nearest bus routes: 8, D6 (Roman Road), 309 (Globe Road), 106, 254 (Cambridge Heath Road)

If you are homeless tonight

For emergency help there is an out of hours service that will assist you when the homeless service is closed.

To contact the service go to your local police station or call 0300 123 1212.
You can also contact the Council's 24 hour General Enquiry Hotline on 0207 364 5020.