Housing from the council
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
If you are homeless and eligible for assistance, you can ask the council for help. It may have to provide accommodation for you. Whether you are entitled to accommodation and how long you can stay there will depend on your personal circumstances.
Applying as homeless is not the same as putting your name on the waiting list for a permanent council home - you will need to make a separate application. Make sure the person you speak to understands that you need help immediately because you are homeless but that you want to go on the waiting list as well.
If you are unsure of your rights or are unhappy with any decision the council has made, use our directory to find an advice agency in your area.
Emergency housing while the council makes enquiries
You may be entitled to emergency housing while the council assesses your homelessness application.
Temporary housing after the council has made a decision
If you ask the council for help because you are homeless, it will look into your situation. If it decides that you meet certain criteria, it will have a duty to continue to provide temporary accommodation for you. The accommodation should be suitable, and you can normally stay there until you are able to move into settled accommodation.
Settled housing for homeless people
Only some types of housing count as 'settled accommodation'. It could be a council tenancy, a housing association tenancy or a tenancy with a private landlord.
Unsuitable council accommodation
If you apply to the council for help as a homeless person, it may have to provide you with temporary accommodation. If the accommodation the council offers you isn't suitable, you may be able to take action.
