Get a place to stay if you're homeless and on the streets
Contact Streetlink if you are sleeping rough or on the streets, or worried about someone who is.
Contact the council
The council must give you emergency housing if they think you could:
Ask to speak to the rough sleeping team if the council's homeless team say they cannot help.
How to contact your council's homeless team
What is your location?
London Charter to End Rough Sleeping have phone numbers for all homeless teams in London.
Council help during extreme weather
Most councils in England have special accommodation help during severe cold or heat. This is known as the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol or SWEP.
SWEP accommodation can be in a hostel, night shelter or in a building owned by a community group. Advice and support into longer term accommodation may be available.
Ask your local council or Streetlink about SWEP if it feels like it is near freezing.
You do not have to meet immigration, residence or priority need conditions to get SWEP accommodation.
Streetlink and outreach teams
You can contact Streetlink if you're sleeping rough. Streetlink does not have accommodation.
Streetlink connects you with local outreach teams.
Outreach teams can sometimes help you get:
a room in a hostel
emergency housing from the council
a bed in a night shelter or winter shelter
Outreach workers might come and see you on the streets a few times before they can find you somewhere to stay.
How to get into a hostel
You need a referral to get into many hostels, especially in London. This means a charity, outreach team or council has to contact the hostel for you.
Some hostels let you refer yourself by calling them or turning up in person. These are called direct access hostels.
You need to show proof of:
ID - for example, your National Insurance card or a passport
benefits - for example, your universal credit account or a jobcentre letter
Check with the hostel to find out who can stay there.
Ask if they have rules about:
alcohol or pets
antisocial behaviour
needing links with the area
Some hostels allow you to move in straight away if you're offered a place. Others may put you on a waiting list.
Search for a hostel
Use the Homeless Link website to find hostels near you and how to get referred.
Select 'Accommodation' under 'Service types'.
If you have a dog
Search for a dog friendly hostel on the Dogs Trust website.
Paying for a hostel
You usually have to pay to stay in a hostel.
Housing benefit can help with rent. You might have to pay a service charge from other benefits or income.
You do not usually have to pay a deposit or rent in advance.
Staying in a hostel
Most hostels are for single homeless adult men. Some are for people who have experienced domestic abuse or have mental health, drug or alcohol problems.
You usually get:
your own bedroom, which may be shared with someone of the same sex
a shared bathroom
a shared kitchen
laundry facilities
Some hostels provide food that you pay for through a service charge.
You can usually stay in a hostel for 1 to 6 months.
Most hostels provide a support worker who can help you move on to longer term housing.
More about help and places to stay if you're:
How to find a night shelter or winter shelter
Night shelters and winter shelters are places to sleep for people who would be on the streets.
They are run by charities, churches and mosques in some areas.
You arrive by a set time in the evening and leave in the morning. You usually have to share the sleeping area with other people. Some shelters may offer showers and hot meals.
Staff or volunteers sometimes give advice on housing, benefits, employment and other practical support.
The main difference between a night shelter and a winter shelter is that:
night shelters are usually open all year
winter shelters are only open between November and March
You do not have to pay anything to stay in most of these shelters.
Contact your council if you're homeless with nowhere to stay.
Ask about emergency options. Tell them if you are on the streets or sleeping rough.
Contact Streetlink if the council does not help or you cannot get in touch with them.
Help if you do not meet immigration conditions
You can sometimes stay in a night shelter even if you cannot get benefits because of your immigration status.
The No Accommodation Network has a list of charities who provide night shelters.
If you want to leave a hostel or shelter
Some people find it difficult to stay in emergency housing, hostels or night shelters.
Tell the staff if you are having problems. They might help you find somewhere that is more suitable for you.
Last updated: 31 March 2025
