What if I am homeless?

Being homeless is not just about sleeping rough. You are also homeless if you are staying temporarily with friends or relatives, are staying in accommodation where you cannot stay in the long term like bed and breakfast or a hostel, or are living somewhere which is dangerous.

Help from the council

If you are homeless you may be able to get help from the council, although this doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be given a council house. If you are homeless you should go the council’s homeless section and say you want to make an application as homeless. They will then ask you questions and look into your situation before they decide what help to offer you.

The council have to decide whether you are:

1. Homeless.
2. Eligible for help from them.
3. In priority need. This means deciding if you fall into certain groups, including being 16 or 17 years old, 18–20 and having left care, disabled, have children or are pregnant.

If the council thinks you are homeless they have to provide you with emergency accommodation while they find out more about your situation. They may refer you to a hostel or perhaps find you a place in a bed and breakfast. You can stay here until they make a decision about whether you are entitled to somewhere longer term.

If you are homeless, ask your Personal Adviser or a friend to go with you to the council as they will be able to help you with the process. You have the right to ask for any decision the council makes to be looked at again.

Help from Social Services

The help you can get from Social Services if you are homeless depends on your age and if you have been in care.

Social Services have to find you somewhere to live if you are homeless and under 16 years old, or are 16 or 17 and have been in care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 but have now left care. To find out more talk to your Personal Adviser or social worker.