What, when, where in SW1
 

Homeless services

If you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or living in temporary accommodation there are a number of services that can offer advice, guidance and support. We have listed the key local and national contacts in this section. If you would like to add your local service to this site please contact us.

Housing Options Service (Westminster City Council) 020 7641 1000

101, Orchardson Street, London, NW8 8EA
Westminster City Council’s Housing Options Service offers advice and assistance on homelessness, applying for a council or housing association property, help for Westminster Council tenants who want to move home, sheltered and supported housing, and free housing advice.
Or visit Westminster City Council’s website for more information.

Shelter Emergency Service 0808 800 4444

www.shelter.org.uk
If you need advice and help in an emergency and you are not sure what to do, phone Shelter's free national helpline on 0808 800 4444 to talk to a housing adviser who can:

  • explain your rights
  • tell you your options
  • tell you what (if anything) is available in your area.

For urgent advice call 0808 800 4444 from 8.00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Or the

Shelter London Advice Service 020 7014 1540

Telephone advice information and assistance for people who have a housing problem, are in housing need or are facing homelessness. Issues dealt with include housing rights, harassment, illegal eviction, rent and mortgage arrears, housing benefit and domestic violence.
Opening hours
Monday
: 10.00 am - 4pm
Tuesday: 10.00am - 4pm
Wednesday: 1pm - 4pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10.00 am - 1pm

Cardinal Hume Centre 020 7222 1602

3-7, Arneway Street, SW1 2BG.
www.cardinalhumecentre.org.uk
The Centre provides a range of services to homeless people, refugees, asylum-seekers & people in insecure or inappropriate accommodation. All services are within the one site. These include: The Drop-in Project focusing on the prevention of homelessness amongst young people aged 16-25; The Family Day Centre providing a safe play space, advice & support & a crèche facility to homeless families, refugees & families in temporary, insecure or inappropriate accommodation with children under 4; The Education Project providing ESOL & Basic Skills training, IT training (up to IBT), online learning & vocational guidance to homeless young people, homeless parents, refugees & the migrant community; The Medical Surgery offering drop-in GP and nurse, and counselling services to homeless people

The Passage

St Vincent’s Centre, 85 Carlisle Place, SW1P 1NL
www.passage.org.uk
The Passage provides a range of day services for homeless people, including food, washing and laundry facilities, medical services, advice, advocacy and counselling, education and training. A 50-bed night shelter is provided for vulnerable single homeless people (aged 25 plus), particularly those with mental health or alcohol problems. There is also short stay accommodation.

Other Homeless services

Homelessness Employment & Learning Project (H.E.L.P.) 020 7641 1000

(Westminster Housing Options Service/ Vital Regeneration/ Westminster City Council)
ewinter@cwh.org.uk
H.E.L.P. operates various outreach surgeries across Westminster, providing support, advice and guidance to people wishing to access employment and voluntary work or learning and training opportunities
Those eligible for the project are people living in temporary accommodation provided by Westminster Housing Options Service (HOS), people newly approaching the HOS as homeless and people on the HOS Family Quota waiting list.
An Advisor works on a one-to-one basis to provide support with the following:

  • Job hunting/ research into the local labour market
  • Completing application forms and interview techniques
  • Assisting in searching for and applying to local education providers
  • Preparation of c.v.s
  • Looking for suitable volunteering opportunities
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