Helping Those In Need
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Homelessness is more than the absence of a house or physical shelter. Homelessness can be thought of as not only a state of ‘physical unhousedness’ but as ‘psychological homelessness’ expressed through alienation, exclusion, distrust and extreme difficulties in closeness or dependence on others.
Seager (2011); Peter Cockersell (2018)
Homelessness is a powerful indicator of social exclusion because it involves the lack of a very fundamental resource in our society, a home; and that lack or loss leads to other losses. There are as many different histories of becoming homeless as there are homeless people.
What to do....
If you are homeless or fear you are vulnerable to becoming homeless.
The best way to request assistance from Central Bedfordshire Council is via the Online Customer Portal​
If it is an emergency (you are likely to become homeless in the next 7 days or are homeless tonight), please call:
Telephone: 0300 300 4370 during office hours.
If the office is closed, there is an out of hours service:
Telephone: 0300 300 8098
Helplines....
Homeless with mental health concerns
Homeless after leaving armed forces
Homeless after friend and family eviction
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Housing information and advice – Relationship breakdown which accounts for the single most common reason for people becoming homeless and rough sleeping in Central Bedfordshire
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If you see someone who is sleeping outside, rough sleeping and you feel concerned for his/her welfare.
What to do....
StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping by enabling members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, get in touch so that they can be connected to the local support and services that they need, like NOAH.
Helpline Number 0300 500 0914
The service can get busy so wherever possible people are advised to use either StreetLink's website or mobile app available at https://www.streetlink.org.uk
Outreach Service – NOAH enterprise
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Outreach Workers respond to calls via StreetLink. They follow the information provided by concerned people who have contacted StreetLink and aim to engage with people living on the streets.
It is important that precise information is provided although the Outreach team are familiar with the way people who are homeless can move about. The Outreach team will return to the area identified, until they will, hopefully, find the person and help him/her engage with support.