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Housing advice

St Albans City and District Council are here to help if you’re concerned about your housing situation. On this web page you can find advice on a variety of different housing issues. 

What to do if you are…

Fleeing Domestic Abuse Toggle accordion

If you are experience domestic abuse from a partner, there is help available. Safer Places can provide advice and assistance to move away from your current area and you can contact them on 03301 025811. The Council can also provide advice and assistance, and if you apply as homeless or threatened with homelessness you can discuss this situation with a Housing Options Advisor. The local refuge service, SAHWR, can also provide advice and help.

Below is a leaflet giving a range of other organisations, local and national, that can provide support.

16 or 17 years old Toggle accordion

If you are 16 or 17 years old but are concerned that you may become homeless, then there is a range of support from the Council and from the local Children Social Services provider, Hertfordshire County Council. If you are under 18, you are still classed as a minor, and so Children Services have a responsibility to provide support. However, you can also access other services, and you can live in shared accommodation under a licence agreement. You cannot, however, have a tenancy until you turn 18.

In Hertfordshire, Herts Young Homeless provide a lot of the support for 16 and 17 year olds that become homeless.

You can also call 03003 230 130 and speak to an advisor about your situation.

The Council has developed a leaflet to help give advice and information on accessing support if you are this age.

A care leaver Toggle accordion

If you went into the care of Children’s Social Services as a child, then Children’s Services and the Council have certain responsibilities when you turn 18. If you are ready to live independently, then Children’s Social Services can refer to the Council to move on into social housing. This will be with the Council you were living in when you went into care, or the area you lived or live in during your care placement.

You cannot self-refer for move on into social housing, this has to come from your allocated Social Worker. If you want to discuss this further you will need to contact your Social Worker. You can also call the Hertfordshire County Council Children’s Services duty line on 0300 123 4043.

The Council has developed a leaflet to help give advice and information on accessing support if you are a care leaver. 

A former member of the Armed Forces Toggle accordion

If you have recently been in the armed forces or the reserves, you may be entitled to additional priority on the Council’s Housing Register. You will need to state on your application that you used to be in the forces and provide information to support this.

If you are a former member of the armed forces threatened with homelessness there are a variety of support options available to you. Here is a leaflet with details on organisations and charities that can provide you with support. 

Being released from prison or youth detention Toggle accordion

If you are facing homelessness upon being released from prison or a Youth Detention Centre, there are a number of options available to you.

The Council has developed a leaflet to help give advice and information on accessing support if you are leaving prison with no housing available. 

Leaving hospital or struggling with mental illness Toggle accordion

If you are facing homelessness upon leaving hospital or struggling with mental illness there are a number of options available to you.

The Council has developed a leaflet to help give advice and information on accessing support if are leaving hospital or a mental health ward with no housing available.