Leaving hospital and becoming homeless
If you are due to be discharged from hospital and will have nowhere safe to stay, it’s important to get help as early as possible. Hospitals and councils work together to support patients who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Let the nursing staff know as early as you can if you will be homeless when you leave hospital.
They will contact the hospital discharge team, who will help plan a safe discharge and may refer you to us for housing support.
Hospitals have a legal duty to refer people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days (with your consent).
How we can help
If the discharge team refers you to us, our housing options team will assess your situation and talk through the help available.
Depending on your circumstances, we may offer temporary accommodation while your case is being assessed.
If you are eligible for assistance, we will work with you for up to 56 days to help prevent homelessness or to relieve your homelessness, including:
- exploring accommodation options,
- helping you return safely home, if possible,
- supporting you to secure alternative housing, and
- working with other services involved in your care.
This support is part of our duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
If your home needs adapting
If you have a home but it is not safe for you to return to due to your health needs, the hospital may refer you to our team responsible for home adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants to help make your property suitable for you.