The university cannot provide emergency overnight or short term accommodation, but there are steps that you can take if you are in an emergency housing crisis. If something happens at home and you don't feel safe, you have the right to call 999 in an emergency. You can also call 101 if it’s less urgent. Don't stay in a situation if it makes you feel unsafe.

Immediate action to take

• Find out if there are any friends or family members you can stay with while you are able to arrange a longer term solution
• Reach out to Shelter or your local Council for advice and support, for example Sheffield City Council
• Consider staying in a hostel, night shelter, refuge or bed and breakfast if you have nowhere to stay tonight.
• Check into a hotel at a discounted rate.

Next steps

• Contact the Report and Support services at the university if needed
• Speak to your Student Support Adviser (SSA) or the Residential Support Co-ordinator at the university. You can arrange an appointment with them by contacting Hallam Help
• Register for wellbeing support at the university if needed. If you need to talk to someone or want help to work out the right support for you, you can register and book an appointment with a Wellbeing Practitioner.

What to expect when you notify the university that you have a housing crisis

• To be signposted to external emergency support
• To receive support from a Student Support Adviser (SSA) or Residential Support Coordinator
• To be asked a series of questions to determine the nature of your situation and be advised of an action plan to meet your needs
• Depending on your circumstances you may be referred to other support teams for specialist help such as Wellbeing or Funding
• To consider if you need to take a break in your studies until you can find housing to ensure that you are able to fully engage with your course
• To apply to the Hallam Hardship Fund if you have had unexpected financial issues. To qualify for financial support, you must meet the criteria and supply all documents requested.

What the university expects of you when receiving support

• To understand that the University is not an emergency service
• We will do our best to support you to be able to continue with your studies, but you may require external support from your local Council or organisations such as Shelter
• To proactively try to resolve the situation taking appropriate action or next steps
• To contact Hallam Help as soon as you become aware that there may be a problem
• To book an appointment with your SSA via Hallam Help if there is no immediate emergency
• If you receive an action plan from an SSA, proactively undertake any tasks you are given or provide any requested information as soon as possible
• Stay in touch and engage with your SSA through to the resolution of your housing crisis
• To submit a Hallam Hardship Fund application if you are in financial difficulties relating to your housing crisis. You must meet all eligibility criteria to be able to apply and an award is not guaranteed
• Expect to be referred to other support processes if your situation needs it, such as 'Break in Study', 'Withdrawal' or 'Capacity to Study’.