Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Housing Services - Homelessness
Homeless Support Service
Who We Are
The Comhairle’s Homeless Support Service is provided by the Homeless Service which is part of the Development Department’s Housing Service Team.
We provide support, if needed, to household assessed as homeless or potentially homeless.
Homeless Support Officers are based in Stornoway and Balivanich, providing support for households anywhere in the Western Isles.
What We Do
If you are homeless, we can support you while you are in temporary accommodation and help you to find somewhere to stay. We can help you settle in to your new home and ensure that you are receiving the help that you might need to keep a successful tenancy whether with a Registered Social Landlord or a private landlord.
If you have a tenancy at present but are having problems which might lead to you losing that tenancy we can work with you to prevent you from becoming homeless.
The Homeless Support Officer will work closely with you to provide an agreed package of support which could include help with budgeting, welfare right benefits, addictions and lifestyle and social skills.
We can also help with furnishing a new property, obtaining essential services such as electricity and gas, and provide general settling-in support.
If we feel it would benefit you, and you are happy for us to do so, we will refer you to other agencies for more specialised help e.g. Social Work, Citizens’ Advice, The Lifestyle Centre, The Foyer Project etc.
How We Do It
Once you are referred to us by The Homeless Service, your Housing Officer or another relevant agency, we will arrange an appointment with you. At the first interview we will complete an assessment form. Based on the outcome of this we will either agree that you do not need a support package or we will agree a careplan with you.
We will meet as often as required to work through the careplan.
What If I Don’t Want Support
We believe that you will find it in your best interests to engage with the Homeless Support Officer. However, if you do not want to accept any offer of support then your wishes will be respected.
If you don’t want support but have been provided with temporary accommodation by the Comhairle, you will still be asked to meet regularly with the Homeless Support Officer to provide evidence that you are looking for somewhere else to stay (unless the Comhairle has accepted a duty to provide you with permanent housing). If you do not comply with this you will be in danger of losing your temporary accommodation.
If You Have A Complaint About The Homeless Support Service
The Comhairle aims to provide an excellent Homeless Support Service offering the highest standard of care and support. You should expect to be treated as an individual at all times without being shown any type of discrimination.
If you are unhappy with the service provided and wish to make a complaint you should do so in writing to:
Homeless Services Manager
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
c/o HHP
Creed Court
Gleann Seileach Business Park
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2EP
The Comhairle’s Homeless Support Service is registered with the Scottish Care Commission who inspect the service to ensure that we are meeting National Care Standards and complying with legislation. You may wish to make any
complaint, or express any concerns you might have, about the service directly to the Care Commission at:
Care Commission Office
Custom House
Quay Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2XX
Tel: 01851 706157
