How to apply for homelessness support in the UK 

People can become homeless for several reasons including a lack of affordable housing, poverty, unemployment, eviction, family disputes, or other life events that drive people into homelessness. 

Homelessness is lacking a secure place in which you are entitled to live, or you are not reasonably able to stay. 

You may be legally defined as homeless if: 

• You have no legal right to live in accommodation anywhere in the world 
• You cannot get into your home, for example your landlord has locked you out 
• It is not reasonable to stay in your home, e.g., you are at risk of violence or abuse 
• You are forced to live apart from your family or people you normally live with because there is no suitable accommodation for you 
• You are living in very poor conditions such as overcrowding 

Thankfully there is homelessness support available in the UK for vulnerable individuals and families which should make it preventable.

Your local council must provide homelessness help if you’re legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks.  

Their help could include: 

• Support with claiming benefits 
• Advice on tenancy rights or debt 
• Support with landlord or family negotiations 
• Providing grants or loans to pay off rent or mortgage arrears 
• Help with finding a private tenancy 
• Payment towards a deposit or rent in advance 
• An offer of a council or housing association home, or referral to a supported housing project 

If children live with you, or the council thinks you have another priority need, they must give you emergency housing support if you are homeless. 

To find the details of your local council and to request their support please follow the relevant link below depending on where in the UK you live:

What happens next? 

Once you have submitted a homeless application to your council, whether that is via email or letter, over the phone, or in person, your council should then write to you to tell you what help they can give you.  

If you meet the criteria to get help, the council will first try to see if they can help you stay in your home if you’re going to be homeless. If you’re already homeless then they will try to help you find a new home. There are a number of emergency housing options that the council could offer you, for more information, please visit If you’re offered housing because you’re homeless – Citizens Advice 

It is strongly recommended that you continue to look for housing whilst you’re waiting for the council’s decision so you’ll have somewhere to live if they can’t offer you any emergency housing options. 

You may also need financial or legal advice. 

Below are some links to information and resources that could help you: 

Situations where a council will stop supporting you with homelessness 

Local authorities have a responsibility to provide suitable housing for people who are homeless or are facing imminent homelessness however there is also a responsibility from the applicant(s) to cooperate with the steps that have been mutually agreed between the council’s housing team and the applicant in the personalised housing plan, otherwise their help can be withdrawn. 

For more information on situations that can result in a local authority ending their duty to prevent homelessness, please visit Shelter here.  

Challenging a homeless housing decision 

If you disagree with the council’s decision about your homeless application, you should challenge it by asking for a review. 

For more information to support you with making a challenge please visit: 

Other support for vulnerable homeless individuals and families 

If the council won’t let you make a homeless application or they refuse to provide you with emergency housing options, contact your nearest Citizens Advice to get help Contact us – Citizens Advice 

Please see links below for other useful information, organisations, and resources related to homelessness: