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England

Emergency housing from the council

What is emergency housing?

Emergency housing is short term accommodation where you stay while the council:

Who can get emergency housing

The council must give you emergency housing if they think you might:

Contact a Shelter adviser if you think you have a priority need but the council will not give you emergency housing.

Do not refuse emergency housing if you have nowhere else to go

The council might not find anywhere else for you to stay in an emergency.

Tell the council if you're worried about safety, quality or location. They should look at safety risks and might find you something else.

You may have to accept lower standards than in longer term housing.

Emergency housing has to be very unsuitable to be challenged in court. 

Last updated: 12 January 2024

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