Print this pageBeing homeless is not just about sleeping rough. You are also homeless if you are staying temporarily with friends or relatives (sofa surfing), are staying in accommodation where you cannot stay in the long term, like a bed and breakfast or a hostel, or are living somewhere that is dangerous.
Help from the council
If you are homeless you may be able to get help from the council. If you are homeless you should go to the council’s homeless section and say you want to make an application as being homeless. They will then ask you questions and look into your situation before they decide what help to offer you.
Council contacts:
Bracknell Forest Council: Homelessness advice and support
Reading Borough Council: Homeless? Who can get help from the Council
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead: Your guide to homelessness
Slough Borough Council: Homelessness
West Berkshire Council: Homelessness
Wokingham Borough Council: Homelessness and finding accommodation
If you are homeless, please speak to your Connexions Personal Adviser or contact an adviser from Directgov.
If you have nowhere to sleep tonight you should:
- Ask your friends or family if you can stay for the night
- Contact your local homelessness or social services department (see links above - they will have an emergency out of hours phone number if the office is shut). They should be able to give you details of hostels and local bed and breakfasts
- Contact SHELTERLINE (a free 24 hour helpline for people who are homeless or have housing problems) on 0808 800 4444
- Contact Connexions Direct - freephone from 8.00am - 2.00am on 080 800 13 2 19
Further information:
Rights of homeless 16 & 17 year olds (film by Shelter)
