Find help with housing
**The UK Government are changing how you prove your status. The Home Office are not creating new BRP Cards. If you receive a positive decision on your asylum claim, you’ll need an eVisa. You can find information on the RSMP eVisa webpage, or read on for guidance about what to do when you have received a decision from the Home Office**
If you have received a positive decision and you are at risk of homelessness, you can approach the housing team at your Council for help and guidance. You’ll also have a range of other things to consider, such as accessing your eVisa via your UKVI Account, opening a bank account and accessing benefits. You can find some helpful information by visiting our Positive Decisions section.
If you don’t know the name of the Council where you currently live you can Find your local council (www.gov.uk). If your Council is outside of the North West, please contact Migrant Help on 08088 010 503.
If you need further help and support, or you’ve received a negative decision, you can find help in your local area by looking at our Find Services page. You can also find information on what to do if you’ve received a negative decision through our Negative Decision section below.
You can also refer to the “Housing” page in our General Information section.
Contents
Blackburn with Darwen
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Blackburn with Darwen Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you are currently homeless and have no accommodation tonight, please complete the online enquiry and then call us on 01254 585444.
If you are a rough sleeper, you can contact Streetlink on their website.
Blackpool
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Blackpool Council website.
You can also contact them by phone at 01253 477760.
Their telephone operating hours are:
- 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
- 1.00pm to 5.00pm Wednesday
- 9.00am to 4.30pm Friday
For homelessness emergencies outside these times, please telephone 01253 477600.
Email: [email protected]
Blackpool Advice Service – Housing and Homelessness
Old Foyer Building, Chapel Street, Blackpool, FY1 5DA.
Bolton
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Bolton Council website.
If you’re going to become homeless and need some advice and guidance contact Housing Options by phone on 01204 335900 or email [email protected]
Do you need urgent assistance outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), phone 01204 337777.
Bury
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Bury Council website.
Are you between 18 and 25 years old? Please call the Young Persons Team between 9am and 4.30pm on 0161 234 1081.
Are you over 25 years old? Please call 0161 253 5678 between 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) for help and support.
Do you need urgent assistance outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), phone 0161 253 6606.
Burnley
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Burnley Council website, where you can make an online referral.
For help out of Hours, phone 03330 914 108.
Cheshire East
For housing advice, please see the Homelessness guide on the Cheshire East website.
Main towns: Macclesfield, Congleton, Crewe
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness: Please call the Homechoice Housing Advice Line, opening times 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm on 0300 123 5017 press option 1 or you can email your query to [email protected].
Do you need emergency homelessness assistance outside of working hours? This is an emergency response only and cases will be contacted on a needs basis: 0300 123 5025.
Cheshire West and Chester
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days and you need assistance from us, you should contact our Housing Options team:
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Cheshire West and Chester website.
Telephone – 0808 175 3595 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am – 4.30pm) and (Wednesday 1pm – 4.30pm)
Out of Hours telephone – 0300 123 7035
If you or someone you know if sleeping rough, you can contact Forfutures for support and advice – 0808 175 3595 (option 3)
Chorley
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Chorley Council website.
To make an appointment for a homeless assessment or to speak to a member of our team please call 01257 515151 or email [email protected] or call into our offices at the Civic Offices, Union Street, Chorley, PR7 1AL.
Assessments will usually take up to 1.5 hours.
Opening hours for advice is 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
If you are in need of emergency help outside of these hours, please call the out of hours team on 01257 515142.
Cumberland
For housing advice, please visit Homelessness page on the Cumberland Council website.
If you are homeless now, or in danger of losing your accommodation, contact the Housing Options team on:
Allerdale
Phone: 01900 702660
Email: [email protected]
To contact us out of office hours call 0300 373 3730
Carlisle
Email: [email protected].
You can contact us during normal office hours by calling 01228 817200. Our out of hours contact numbers are 01228 817386 (single women and families) and 01228 817373 (single men).
Copeland
You should contact the team as early as possible, if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days. You can contact our team by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01946 598300.
If you find yourself homeless and needing urgent help outside office hours, please telephone 01946 598300 for their out-of-hours emergency service.
Fylde
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Fylde Council website.
If you become homeless outside of their normal opening hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team by telephoning 0333 3204555.
Halton
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Halton Council website.
Please contact us on email [email protected] or phone 0151 511 7979 (9am – 5pm Mon to Fri) or 0333 000 4300 outside these hours
Hyndburn
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Hyndburn Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
Homelessness and Housing Advice Service:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone us on 01254 388 111 or visit:
Housing Needs Unit, Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington, BB5 0PF.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm.
If you are homeless and need help when the Housing Advice Centre is closed, please ring 01254 356299.
Knowsley
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Knowsley Council website.
Phone: 0151 443 2333
If you are homeless, we will assess your circumstances to see if you have local connections in the area. We will also talk to you about your situation and any support you may need. We will then work with you to complete a Personal Housing Plan and agree with you what you need to do, and also what we need to do to help you. We will keep you up to date with what we are doing to help you throughout the application process. You will also need to keep in touch with us regularly to let us know what you have done from your Personal Housing Plan.
Lancaster
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Lancaster City Council website, where you can compete a referral form.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Health and Housing Services, Morecambe Town Hall, Morecambe, LA4 5AF.
Phone 01524 582257, open 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.
In an emergency outside office hours and at weekends, do not make an online enquiry, phone 01524 67099.
Liverpool
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Liverpool City Council website.
At risk of becoming homeless within 56 days? Please visit the Liverpool City Council website for information and call 0800 731 6844 between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm. We no longer offer an online referral service.
Currently Homeless in Liverpool? You can find help on the Liverpool City Council website or call 0800 731 6844 between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm. If it is outside of these hours, please call 0151 233 3044 (Freephone 0800 731 6844).
Manchester
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Manchester City Council website.
Are you between 18 and 25 years old? Please call the Young Persons Team between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) on 0161 234 1081.
Are you over 25 years old? Please call 0161 234 4692 between 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays) for help and support.
Do you need urgent assistance outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), phone 0161 234 5001.
Are you a refugee living in Manchester? Please contact Mustard Tree ‘New Welcome Hub’ in person at 110 Oldham Road, Bengal Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AG. Telephone: 0161 228 7331.
Oldham
For housing advice, please visit the Homelessness page on the Oldham Council website.
In an emergency outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), phone 0800 988 7061.
Local Authority Asylum Support Officers (LAASLOs) – The LAASLOs provide support to asylum seekers and refugees living in Oldham to help them to prepare for moving on from Home Office (Serco) accommodation.
They can help refugees to access housing and also employment, training and support to improve their English skills. They can also help them to access welfare benefits when Home Office payments end.
If you think that you might need support, or would like to find out more about the service, please contact any of the LAASLOs below:
- Narcisa Trozic: phone 07816 335589 or email [email protected]
- Suzanne Fields: phone 07790 952275 or email [email protected]
- Asaf Baz: phone 07855 189934 or email [email protected]
They also hold a weekly drop-in at Oldham Library, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL on Wednesdays between 11am-1pm
Pendle
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Pendle Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you already have an open case with us, please do not fill in the online form again. Contact your housing needs officer directly by email or call 01282 661045.
The online form will ask questions about you, your household and your circumstances. Please make sure that you answer all the questions and include a contact number and/or an email address so we can get in touch with you.
Once the form has been submitted, a housing needs officer will contact you within 5 working days to discuss your housing circumstances further.
If you are currently homeless and have no accommodation tonight, please complete the online form and then call us on 01282 661045.
If you contact our team before completing the online form, you will be asked to fill in the form before you can speak to a member of staff.
Preston
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Preston City Council website.
Or phone 01772 906412 (out of hours: 01772 906014).
In person: Housing Advisory Service, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL.
You can also see the Preston City Council website for information about a personal housing plan.
Ribble Valley
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Ribble Valley Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you have any questions about the form or you need to speak to us directly, contact 01200 414551 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.) For out of hours homeless emergencies contact 01200 444448.
You can also find some useful information about the process and support networks in this homeless in Ribble Valley leaflet.
Rochdale
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Rochdale Council website.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 303 8548
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9am–4.45pm
Wednesday and Thursday: 1pm–4.45pm
Do you need urgent assistance outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), phone 0300 303 8875
Homelessness Prevention Hub – If you’re going to become homeless and need some advice and guidance, you can follow support for people at risk of homelessness in Rochdale on the Rochdale Council website.
At Risk of Rough Sleeping – there is a Rough Sleeper Outreach Team, Sanctuary Trust act upon on all reports of Rough Sleepers Sanctuary Trust look for people bedding down outside most nights. They provide support to people who have been rough sleeping in the daytime too.
When someone is found rough sleeping we will try to make an immediate offer of accommodation.
Rossendale
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Rossendale Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you already have an open case with us, please do not complete the online enquiry again. Please contact your housing options officer directly by email or call 01706 217777.
For emergency help outside of office hours please call 0300 222 5946 and Select Option 4.
You can find contact details for housing options in Rossendale on the Rossendale Council website online.
Email: [email protected]
Address: One Stop Shop, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, OL13 0BB.
Salford
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Salford City Council website.
Ground Floor
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AD
Opening hours are:
8.30am to 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
10am to 4.30pm on Thursday
Email [email protected]
If you need emergency accommodation outside our opening hours, please contact the Out of Hours service on 0161 794 8888.
Sefton
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Sefton Council website.
If you have nowhere to stay or if it is unsafe for you to return home, or you will be homeless within the next 56 days (eight weeks), you should contact the Housing Options Team immediately.
Email: [email protected]
Out of Hours: You can contact the Out of Hours service on 0151 934 3555, Monday to Thursday after 5.00p.m, Friday after 4.15pm, and any time at weekends and public holidays.
South Ribble
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the South Ribble website.
If you are homeless tonight or will be homeless in the next 56 days:
Make an appointment with us by ringing 01772 625 625 or call at the Civic Centre, West Paddock, PR25 1DH, where someone is available until 4pm.
If you prefer you can leave a message by email to [email protected] and we will ring you back.
In some instances, home visits can be arranged for those with mobility problems.
For our out of hours service you need to contact Progress Group on 01772 436756.
St. Helens
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the St Helens Council website.
Get help if you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless: contact Housing Options and Advice service on 01744 675150 or at [email protected] or [email protected].
Do you need urgent assistance outside of working hours? For help when the office is closed (weekends, bank holidays and evenings), please call: 0345 0500 148 (direct line).
Stockport
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Stockport Council website.
If you’re at risk of becoming homeless, contact Stockport Homes for advice on 0161 217 6016.
If you do become homeless the Homechoice Team may be able to provide you with temporary accommodation.
For a homeless emergency outside normal office opening hours, please call 0161 474 2818.
Tameside
If you’re going to become homeless and need some immediate advice and guidance, you can complete the following online form and an experienced officer will contact you to conduct an assessment. Please be advised that dependent on the outcome of your housing assessment, this service can either provide you with temporary/emergency accommodation or provide you with advice on how to secure your own housing. If you’re working with someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within 56 days, you can complete the same form for assistance.
If you would like general advice over the phone, please contact 0161 342 2700.
If you require assistance outside of normal office hours, please contact 0161 342 2700 and this line will direct you to the out of hours team.
If you require support to register for long term housing, apply to the Councils housing register (waiting list) or require a referral for supported accommodation, please email [email protected]
If you require support with applying for Universal Credit, looking for private rented accommodation, shared accommodation or general information, we have an officer based at The British Red Cross, The Church of Nazarene, 230 Stamford Street, Ashton, OL6 7LJ on Thursdays between 10-2pm (term time only). If you require support with case work or family reunion applications, you can also access this support at the British Red Cross along with English classes, haircutting, socialising and a free hot Lunch.
If you are rough sleeping, please email [email protected]. Please include your name, previous address and sleep site and our outreach team will aim to locate and engage with you.
If there is room available at our night shelter provision, you may be offered a bed for the night, however where capacity is increased, this may often run on a waiting list basis.
New Life Centre, St James Street, Ashton, OL6 6SF
Breakfast Club – Wednesdays 9.30-11.30
Thursday Feast- Thursdays 4-6pm
English conversation café- Wednesdays 1-2pm (term time only)
0161 339 7924
Trafford
Housing Options Service Trafford (HOST) provides housing advice and assistance via telephone and email during our normal operating hours. If you become homeless outside of these hours, your call will automatically divert to HOST’s out of hours service.
The HOST reception at Sale Waterside is only open to those with appointments. If you need a face to face appointment, contact us to arrange.
Opening hours are:
Monday 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 1pm – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
Contact details
Tel: 0161 912 2230
Emergency Duty Team: 0161 912 2230
Email: [email protected]
For more information, please visit the homelessness page on the Trafford Council website.
Warrington
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Warrington Council website.
Contact us immediately if you think you are at risk of being made homeless, the sooner you contact us the more likely we will be able to help.
Email: [email protected]
Out of Hours and Emergency: 01925 444400.
Housing advice drop-in service: The Gateway, 89 Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1SR.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Wednesday 9am to 12noon and 2pm to 5pm.
Phone: 01925 246868 – please leave a voicemail if we’re unable to answer. Our service is very busy and it may be up to 10 working days before we’re able to get back to you.
West Lancashire
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the West Lancashire Council website.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01695 577177
You can use Homefinder if you wish to search for housing in West Lancashire.
Westmorland and Furness
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Westmorland and Furness Council website.
Barrow
Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (4:30pm Friday) call us on (01229) 876599 or email: [email protected]
You can visit Barrow’s website to refer yourself, but please note, you may need to use Google Chrome for access.
Out of office hours: (01229) 833311.
Eden
- Contact: Housing Options Team at Eden Housing Association
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.edenha.org.uk/
- Telephone: 01768 861499
- Address: Blain House, Bridge Lane, Penrith CA11 8QU
- Additional Information: After 5pm and UK bank holidays telephone 0800 0614232.
South Lakeland
- Contact: Housing Options
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 01539 793 199
- Address: South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DQ
- Out of Hours: 01229 833311
Wigan
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Wigan Council website.
If you are at risk of being homeless or are homeless now? You can find contact information and details on the Wigan Council website. You’ll also be able to see information on finding a home or finding private rented housing.
Local services
For asylum seeker and refugee advice and support within the Borough please visit the Support for Wigan Arrivals Project (SWAP).
For homelessness advice and support please visit The Brick.
For advice and information please visit Citizens Advice Wigan Borough.
Wirral
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Wirral Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you are age 17 or under call (0151) 606 2008 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for further assistance.
If you are homeless and our offices are closed, including weekends and bank holidays, call the Emergency Duty Team on 0151 677 6557.
Existing Housing Options Clients: If you are an existing Housing Options client, you can contact your Housing Options Advisor using the email address or telephone number provided to you. You can also email [email protected].
Wyre
For housing advice, please visit the homelessness page on the Wyre Council website, where you can complete a referral form.
If you are homeless and have nowhere to stay tonight, please call 01253 891000 to find out your options. If your call is out of normal working hours, you will hear a recorded message giving you an alternative number to call.
Positive Decisions
Receiving a positive decision is good news, but it can also be a very difficult time as there are so many things to do, other than arranging for housing. It’s important that you don’t delay in managing your affairs so you can be prepared to move on from your current accommodation.
Have you received a letter from the Home Office with details of how to access your eVisa through your UKVI Account? They will have created the account for you, but you will need to check the details are correct. If you have any issues you can contact UK Visas and Immigration for help on GOV.UK.
Housing is in short supply, so we recommend that you accept any offer considered reasonable by the Council. Once you’re established, you can find somewhere you wish to settle and hopefully thrive! If you’re making a family reunion application, you should raise this with the Council so they can consider this when giving you advice.
Make sure you keep all the relevant paperwork. Serco will issue you with ‘Notice to Quit’ your accommodation. This proves you are at risk of homelessness, but you’ll also need proof of your status.
Please see below for some helpful links and guidance:
- What happens when you get Refugee Status? – Right to Remain
- A guide for when you have been granted refugee status – Rainbow Migration
- Migrant help created the following .Download.ashx (migranthelpuk.org) on positive decisions
- Welcome: a guide for new refugees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- A guide from Shelter: moving on from asylum support housing.
- You may need financial assistance. You can apply for a Refugee integration loan: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) This will be subject to agreement and will need to be paid back.
If you’re making a claim for Universal Credit, you may ask the citizens advice for support Contact us about applying for Universal Credit – Citizens Advice Citizens Advice ‘help to claim’ service. You may also be eligible for assistance with Child Benefit and Housing Benefit.
Please be aware that there is a Benefit cap (www.gov.uk), it is worth considering the Benefit cap amounts (www.gov.uk) when budgeting. It can be hard to manage your finances but Citizens Advice can offer support and guidance in many areas. You may also want to consider using online resources, such as this Free online budget planning tool | MoneyHelper
Here’s a checklist of tasks for when you receive a positive decision:
- Have you received details of how to activate your UKVI account?
- Is the information on your UKVI account correct?
- Do you need your National Insurance number? You should be able to access this on your eVisa account, but it can take a few days to show on a new account.
- Do you have a bank account? If not you can find guidance on getting a bank account from Citizens Advice. There is also a Banking Guide for Refugees – Refugee Council that has some translated versions available.
- Contact the housing team at the Council for support in accessing housing.
- You may be moving away from services you’ve accessed previously. Don’t forget to inform your GP, Dentist and School(s) if you’re going to be leaving.
- If you wish to have your mail redirected, there is a Royal Mail service to redirect your mail, but this does come at a cost. You may be eligible for a lower rate if you’re accessing benefits.
Once you’ve moved, there are other things to consider. You can visit our Checklist when you arrive – nwrsmp and New Home Checklist – nwrsmp
Negative Decisions
If you’ve received a negative decision on your asylum claim, you may have the right to appeal your decision. You’ll need to contact your legal representation as soon as possible, but please note, there’s a nationwide shortage of legal aid provision. You can find information on how to appeal your decision in the Right to Remain Toolkit.
If you submit your appeal, then you could still be eligible for Section 95 support. You will need to notify Migrant Help of your appeal to prevent your support being ended.
If you do not appeal your negative asylum decision, then you will be given 21 days notice from when that decision is served to leave your asylum accommodation. The financial support you may be provided with will also stop.
You may be able to apply for section 4 support, in some cases. If you wish to apply for section 4 support, you will need to speak with Migrant Help and if possible, seek legal assistance. You can find more guidance if you’ve received a negative decision on the Migrant Help website.
If you wish to return to your country of origin, you can Get help to return home if you’re a migrant in the UK (www.gov.uk). If you can’t apply online, you can phone 0300 004 0202 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but please note, call charges may apply.