Where can I find homelessness support in GM?

What is homelessness?

Traditionally it is thought sleeping rough is the same thing as being homeless. Many people stay with family or friends, squat or stay in hostels or other accommodation, however they are not included in homelessness statistics. Many people are affected by the stigma around homelessness and do not reach for help for homelessness organisations or the council. The Housing Act 1996 describes the below things which make someone homeless:

• They have no accommodation to occupy.
• They are fleeing or at risk of violence such as domestic abuse.
• They have accommodation but they have reasonable reasons not to occupy it such as overcrowding or unaffordability.
• They do not have a secure entry to their accommodation.
• They have no legal right to occupy their accommodation.
• They have no place to put or cannot live in their mobile home or boat.

Your Local Authority can help

People who are threatened with homelessness and are currently facing homelessness can make a homelessness application to their local authority. The application is assessed, and the local authority must support people who are homeless with interim accommodation if they are homeless, eligible, and fall into a priority category.

See below the pages of each Local Authority in Greater Manchester where you can make an application.

• Bolton
• Bury
• Manchester
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Salford
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan

They catch you before you fall- Pathfinders

It never made sense to me that services waited for you to be in crisis or have negative outcomes before they helped you. Pathfinders can catch you before you fall. They help when you’re at risk of homelessness – they help young adults aged between 18 to 25 years old.

My personal story

I met Tim from Pathfinders. I felt like we were on the same wavelength, he listened so empathetically and quickly offered support and explained pathfinders to me and was clear on what they offered. At first I didn’t think I’d be eligible but after explaining my situation I found out I was. I’m forever grateful for them enabling me to get independence and space to grow. We need to invest in young people’s futures.

My living situation wasn’t suitable long term, I was in a massive transition between finishing University and entering the workforce. I am a care leaver. I was worried about moving out costs, pathfinders support not only helped financially (like moving van costs, first month rent, deposit, and being a guarantor).

They also supported me emotionally through difficult situations when it matters most. It was such a huge transition and I had a lot of uncertainty about the future. I enjoyed having guidance and support at the right time, at my pace and they helped me make good independent choices for my future. They didn’t judge me, my support worker Donna listened to my story and compassionately validated my experience. Everyone in pathfinders is trauma informed and it makes a world of difference to me and my experience with them!

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