Housing advice form

What changes are being made to online Housing Advice and homeless application requests?

We are currently updating our forms to make requests for advice and homeless applications simpler and more efficient. When our new system goes live, you will be able to set up an account through our online portal to seek housing assistance. You will also be able to use the online portal to send and receive communications in relation to your request for assistance.

How can I make a request for Housing Advice or a homeless application before the online portal goes live?

Anyone in need of housing advice or who is threatened with homelessness will still be able to contact us for support via our website.

If you need housing assistance, please complete the online form towards the bottom of this page.

If you are facing an emergency homeless situation now, please phone us on 01243 785 166 or visit our office at Chichester District Council, East Pallant House, Chichester PO19 1TY.

What happens once I have completed the online form?

When you have completed your online form, a member of our Housing Advice Team will contact you within two working days to discuss your current situation.

How does this affect me if I have an active housing advice or homelessness application?

You are not required to do anything else. Any housing advice or homeless applications that are active by 31 March 2025 will be transferred across for you. You will be notified of your account details at that stage and can start using our new online portal to send or receive communications about your application.

Why are you changing to a new system?

The new system, which is being introduced as part of service development improvements and in direct response to customer feedback, will make the process of applying to join the housing register simpler. 

It will also mean that residents on our housing register will be able to 'bid' for available properties that meet their needs much more frequently. This will increase the opportunity for people to find a suitable home. 

The change will also make our system easier for people who need to contact us to seek housing advice, if they have a housing problem, such as being homeless.

In addition, the new system will enable us to ensure that people's details and requirements are kept up-to-date, ensuring that customers are matched with a suitable property that meets their housing needs, especially if their situation has changed since they joined the register. It will also help us ensure that households with the highest level of housing need are prioritised.

As of 25 May 2018 the council has changed the way it manages and stores your personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.

For further information on how the council manages this information it collects from you please see the council's data protection and freedom of information page.

You can receive housing advice from the council by completing an online housing advice form using the button below. Before clicking the link (which is an external site), please ensure you have read all the important instructions.

Start your housing advice application (opens new window)

If you have already begun an application you can complete the form by logging back on through the Housing Advice Form login (opens new window) page.

Before completing the form you will need:

• An email address - the form provides guidance and links on how to set up one
• National Insurance Number - Find a lost National Insurance number (opens new window)
• Your current address - address history for the last 6 years will also be required
• Medical information about you or the member of your household
• Financial information for all household members e.g. wages, benefits, tax credit and child benefit awards, savings , expenditure

The more detail you provide about your current circumstances within the form, the more help you will be able to receive from the Housing Advice team.

Required ID and supporting documents

• You can upload ID and other documents through the Housing Advice form - you can also provide documents to reception at Chichester District Council offices.
• ID for all household members: e.g passport, birth certificate, driving license
• Income evidence e.g. payslips, benefits letter, tax credit and child benefit award letter, pension letter, bank statements, P60
• Medical information e.g. letters or reports from a GP, hospital consultants or other medical practitioners such as an occupational therapist.
• Proof of address e.g. tenancy agreement, notice from your landlord

What you need to know before completing the housing advice form

• The form is accessible through most devices: laptop, tablet or phone
• You will have 10 days to complete and submit the form. After this time, a new form will need to be completed
• Please remember your security question and answer. You will be prompted for it if you forget your username and/or password.
• You will be timed out after 15 minutes of inactivity. If you need to stop or find additional information, the finish later option will save your current progress. An email will be sent with your login details and access to the customer portal. Please ensure you complete the form within 10 days.
• If you are unable to fill out the form, you can attend the council offices where computers are available.

On completion of the housing advice form, a Housing Advice officer will contact you to confirm your details and establish future actions.