Applying directly to the Council with the help of your prison’s Resettlement Service
Please visit: https://www.kenthomechoice.org.uk/content/prison-leavers-advice for further advice on what to do if you are going to be homeless when released from prison.
You can contact your local Council up to 56 days before you know you are going to be homeless or threatened with homelessness when you are released from prison. You can do this by accessing the Councils website with the help of your Resettlement Service to complete an online self-assessment, which will give you some basic advice and information – this can be found here: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/homeless. Alternatively, your Resettlement Worker can complete a Duty to Refer on your behalf. Please ask them directly about this.
Once either a duty to refer or homeless enquiry form has been received by Folkestone & Hythe District Council, the Housing Solutions Officer for Ex Offenders will review your information and, if necessary, will make contact to request you carry out a more detailed assessment of your housing situation and will discuss your options with you. This will usually be done over the phone or by videocall prior to your release from prison.
You will be given advice and support about your housing options and how to access them.
Looking for affordable private rented accommodation
This is likely to be your fastest solution to securing somewhere to live in the local area. Finances are often the biggest barrier so make sure you have followed the advice above and if you are still struggling you might need to look in more affordable areas of the country.
Applying to the Council’s Housing Register
If your home is unsuitable for you or if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you may be eligible to join your local council’s housing register. If your local Council is in Kent, you can apply online through the Kent Homechoice website at: www.kenthomechoice.org.uk. Further information on joining Folkestone & Hythe’s housing register can be found here: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/housing/khc-social-affordable-housing. Please note that the demands for social housing via Councils’ housing registers is extremely high, and you are unlikely to be offered alternative accommodation quickly.