I am being discharged from hospital, what are my housing options?

I will be homeless after my discharge

If you know you will be homeless after you are discharged from hospital, it’s important you seek help right away to secure accommodation for when you are ready to leave the hospital. You can call Housing Services on 01737 276 790 for further advice and assistance.

Exploring your housing options

Care homes

• Care homes offer higher level of support including personal and medical care. The support includes provision of meals and help with washing and dressing. The NHS and Social Services can cover support with costs of living in a care home. Speak to your GP or contact Adult Social Care if you require this assistance.

Staying with family / friends

• Returning to family or friends home can be suitable short-term housing solution as it allows you more time to find your own accommodation.
• You may also benefit from receiving everyday help/support from family or friends after your discharge

Private renting

• You can look for private rented accommodation. This route will give you the option to look for a home in an area of choice and the type of property you choose.
• You can secure a tenancy if you have savings or friends/family who can lend you money
• You can apply for Housing Benefit
• You can speak to the Council for further advice on 01737 276 790
• You can use the internet to search for private rented accommodation via search engines such as Google or other websites such as RightMove, Zoopla or Gumtree.

Supported housing

• Supported housing offers specialist support to address a tenant’s specific issues and individual needs and individual needs. To be considered for supported housing, you generally need to be referred which can be done through a support worker or through the Council.

Housing register

• To join the housing register, applicants must have a local connection to Reigate and Banstead.
• Depending on your situation you will be placed into a priority band. These range from urgent priority (Band A) to low priority (Band D). We will need evidence of your medical history, discharge information and details of how your medical conditions are affected by your housing before we can assess your banding.
• If you are accepted onto the waiting list, it can take several years before you are successful for a property.
• To apply to join the housing register please complete the online application from which can be found on our website. If you have any questions please call the Housing Register Team on 01737 276 790.

Council

• You can contact your local Council who can offer you advice and assistance depending on your situation.
• The Council may offer you financial assistance to help you secure a private rented property if you are at risk of homelessness and hold a valid local connection. Call on 01737 276 790. for further details.

Hostels

Hostels can provide you with enough time to secure yourself new permanent accommodation and to apply for any support or benefits you may be entitled to. Visit our list of hostels webpage for further information.

eSOS (East Surrey Outreach Service)

eSOS offers support and access to hostels/supported housing to those who are currently rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The Council or other support workers can refer you or you can contact eSOS directly via the eSOS website. You must have a local connection to access their service.

Contacts and organisations that can support you

Useful housing contacts.