Young people aged 18-25

Because most young people who are aged over 18 do not automatically have a priority need for accommodation under homelessness law, it is often harder to obtain accommodation for them. This top tip looks at the options for this age group.

Homelessness application?

As long as there is reason to believe that a young person may be homeless, the council should take a homelessness application from them. However, it will not have a duty to provide interim accommodation unless there is reason to believe that the young person may be eligible for assistance and have a priority need. See the pages on homelessness applications and emergencies for more information.

Unlike most 16- and 17-year-olds, young people aged 18 or over are not automatically in priority need due to their age. However, they could be automatically in priority need for another reason, or they may be in priority need because they are vulnerable. See priority need for more information.

Councils have a duty to give advice and information to any person about homelessness, so, even if a young person is unlikely to have a priority need (and therefore the council will not have a duty to rehouse them), it may still be worth their while approaching the council for assistance.

Council's should not unreasonably delay making a decision on an application if the result of the delay would be that the young person reaches the age of 18 (and hence will no longer be in priority need). In this situation, there will be a strong case for a review of the decision (see homelessness reviews for more information).

Advice on other accommodation

As the council may not have a duty to rehouse a homeless person aged over 18, it is important to advise them on alternative accommodation options as soon as possible. This could include:

• advice on renting privately
• referral to a foyer or supported housing
• help with making an application for council or housing association accommodation
• help with negotiations with parents or other relatives.