Homelessness and threatened homelessness
The legal definition of homelessness and threatened homelessness used by local authorities in homelessness applications.
Last updated: 20 October 2022
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Definition of homelessness and threatened homelessness
The legal definition of homeless and threatened with homelessness for people making a homeless application to a local authority.
No accommodation available to occupy
A person is homeless if they have no accommodation that they have a right to occupy or they cannot access their accommodation.
Homelessness due to violence or domestic abuse
A person is homeless if it is not reasonable to continue to occupy their accommodation because of the probability of violence or domestic abuse.
Accommodation that is not reasonable to occupy
A person is homeless if they have accommodation that is not reasonable to continue to occupy.
Homeless applicants living in split households
A person is homeless if their accommodation is not available for the entire household.