West Dunbartonshire Council can provide specialist housing advice and assistance, including advice on homelessness. Advice includes the following:
Housing advice including information on:
- the availability of permanent accommodation provided by West Dunbartonshire Council, housing associations , or other local authorities.
- the availability of temporary accommodation provided by West Dunbartonshire Council, private, public or voluntary bodies as well as other local authorities.
- assistance to prevent homelessness
- nomination procedures, waiting lists and any restrictions imposed by landlords
-
specialist, supported or furnished accommodation
- services provided by estate agents and accommodation agencies
-
owner occupation including shared ownership and the availability of grants for owner occupation (including improvement, repair and adaptation grants )
- organisations providing independent housing advice can be found under further advice.
Advice on social issues covers information on services provided by specialist agencies and bodies dealing with health, welfare and other social issues. This includes advice on support and care packages to enable people to sustain tenancies.
Financial advice includes information on:
- the availability of personal benefits, grants and loans directly or indirectly related to the provision of housing
- rent and mortgage arrears and the financial implications of home ownership
- the management of personal finance
-
rent guarantee and deposit schemes
- specialist agencies providing financial advice to individuals. Independent organisations providing financial advice can be found in the further advice section.
Legal advice includes information on:
- court proceedings
- legal rights including the availability of legal aid
- the availability of independent advice and advocacy
- Independent organisations providing legal advice can be found in the further advice section.
Assistance includes:
- providing a personal interview at a time and place with a local authority officer. An applicant may stipulate whether they would like the interview to be with a male or female officer.
- providing an interpreter or an independent personal representative at any interview if requested by an applicant.
Advice and assistance for homeless people is provided by:
- the Homeless Services Section covering the area where they are currently living
- all Housing Offices (24-hour service, 365 days a year)
- Social Work’s Throughcare and Youth Homelessness Team which provides services for people.
Contact us
Email : homeless.strategy@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Phone : 01389 608999
Call at our Homeless Reception areas or write to us at : Homeless Services, Dumbarton Housing Office, 24-30 College Way, Dumbarton G82 1LH.
Office hours
Monday - Friday 8.30am – 4.15pm
Homeless Services operate an emergency service for anyone made homeless outside office hours. This freephone number is 0800 197 1004. Out of office hours emergency cases are dealt with within 30 minutes.
