Under 18 homeless information
If you are a homeless young person aged 16 - 17 years old, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a legal duty to support you. The children’s services and housing department will undertake a joint assessment of needs; will explain to you the different support accommodation options available under the Housing Act duties and the Children Act 1989, to help you to understand the options and choices, including advice and information and mediation.
Alternatively, you can call the Multi- Agency Safe Guarding Hub (MASH) Team on;
- 020 7364 5601/5606. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays)
- Out of office hours please call Emergency Duty Team on; 0207 364 4079
- Email: MASH@towerhamlets.gov.uk
The team can give advice and guidance, can identify appropriate support and refer on to services where applicable.
The MASH receives contacts through a variety of methods ‐ telephone, email, and letter. These contacts are made by professionals, members of the public and service users.
Contacts from professionals must be made using multi agency referral form; however, where there are immediate child protection concerns, referrals must be made by telephone and followed up in writing as soon as possible using referral form.
Find out more about the Early Help Hub.
Further Housing support
- Stonewall Housing - the specialist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) housing advice and support provider in England. We provide housing support for LGBT people in their own homes, supported housing for young LGBT people, as well as free, confidential housing advice for LGBT people of all ages.Visit the Stonewall Housing website.
- Centrepoint - a charity supporting homeless people aged 16-25. If you're rough sleeping, sofa surfing or don't feel safe in your home, the Centrepoint Helpline is there to support you. You can also get in touch if you're worried about a young person. Visit the Centrepoint website
- The Mix - the UK’s leading support service for young people under the age of 25. They tackle issues from money to mental health, homelessness to finding a job, from break ups to drugs. Visit The Mix website
- New Horizon Youth centre - helps young people aged 16-21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and can help with finding a place to stay, sorting out benefits or debts, getting into employment/training, and much more. They also offer counselling, a nurse, breakfast and lunch, laundry and showers. Visit the New Horizon Youth centre website
- Depaul: Alone in London - helps 16-25 year olds who are at risk of homelessness by providing advice about getting accommodation and benefits, family mediation, counselling, school mediation and training and employment. They have access to showers and laundry. Visit the Depaul website