Homelessness

Homelessness is something that happens everywhere, and Orkney is no exception to this. Orkney Islands Council’s Homeless Section provided advice and assistance to 101 homeless applicants during financial year 2008/2009. The Council has a legal duty to provide homeless applicants with appropriate advice and assistance. You must be aged 16 or over to present as a homeless applicant. If you are aged under 16 you will be referred to the Department of Community Social Services for appropriate advice and assistance.

Homelessness Information Leaflets

The Council has produced information leaflets to explain the homelessness process and the duties that the Council has under the homelessness legislation. You can download these leaflets here through Related Downloads section on this page or hard copies are available from the Council Offices and various local agencies.

Further information on the advice and support available to help deal with domestic abuse is available from Women's Aid Orkney and through the Domestic Abuse Forum. Links to both websites are available through Related Sites section on this page.

Temporary Accommodation

Everyone who is assessed as being homeless is entitled to temporary accommodation for a minimum of 28 days and many applicants are entitled to a permanent home.

Emergency Contacts

If you should become homeless outwith office hours please call pager tel: 07699 705 527 and our duty officer will call you back. If you cannot contact the pager please phone mobile tel: 07921 582 962.