Being homeless is not just about sleeping rough. You are also homeless if you are sofa surfing, 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 to 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:

• homeless
• eligible for help from them
• 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 there until they make a decision about whether you are entitled to somewhere longer term.

If you are homeless, ask your Connexions 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 Connexions personal adviser or social worker.

Sleeping rough

Sleeping rough is dangerous and is not a good idea, particularly if you are on your own. If you have nowhere to sleep tonight you should:

• Ask your friends or family if you can stay for the night.
• Contact your local homelessness or Social Services department (they will have an emergency out of hours phone number if the office is shut). They should be able to give you details of hostels and local bed and breakfasts.
• Contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444 - 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday.

If you have no other alternative remember the following:

• Sleep where there are other people.
• Try to get a sleeping bag or blankets to keep you warm.
• Never sleep directly on the ground – sleep on something like a bench or even a piece of cardboard.
• Eat or drink something hot before you go to sleep as this will help keep you warm.
• Keep your hands, feet and head warm by covering them.
• Don’t drink alcohol before you go to sleep. It causes dehydration and makes your body temperature drop. In extreme cases you could freeze to death.