Preventing homelessness

Every day, we work to make sure people get the right help at the right time.

Our Homeless Outreach team work closely with a network of providers at the heart of the community, bringing together support from council services, charities, voluntary groups, emergency services and the NHS.

A key part of preventing homelessness is reaching people early, before a crisis point. That is why we make ourselves visible and accessible at events across the District. When people know where to find us, they can get advice before their situation becomes overwhelming. Early support can give someone the stability they need to stay in their home and plan for the future with confidence.

We can also offer guidance on finding private rented accommodation, talking to your landlord and planning your next steps.

Reaching out early is one of the best things you can do. You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable.

How we work with homeless people

While early support is always best, we are also fully committed to helping people who are already homeless or rough sleeping. Working closely with partner agencies, we focus on understanding the challenges people face and helping them move towards safe, stable accommodation.

• We help secure suitable accommodation where possible.
• We work in partnership with Turning Tides, Horsham Matters, Southdown Pathways home, Citizen’s Advice and the Salvation Army. We also work closely with Change Grow Live, Worth Services, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and other organisations to ensure no one is left without support.
• Our outreach officers seek out and support rough sleepers, helping them access services and long term housing solutions.

Homelessness rarely has a single cause. It is usually the result of several pressures building up at once. By working alongside other services, we can offer joined up support that tackles those pressures together. This means people are more likely to get the help that makes a real difference.

Recently, we have been joining the Horsham Matters team as they take their Support on the Move van around the District.

These visits give us the chance to meet people where they are, answer questions and offer practical advice in a friendly, informal setting.

Drop in and see us

If you are at risk of losing your home, you are welcome to speak to us. You can find details of when our team will be out at Support on the Move events on our website or contact us at: housing@horsham.gov.uk.

Our team offers a calm, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about your concerns. We can help you explore options such as managing rent arrears, budgeting, increasing your income through housing benefit or Discretionary Housing Payments, and understanding schemes like Support for Mortgage Interest.