Council help and support if you cannot afford a suitable home
The council must look into your needs and situation if you ask them for homeless help.
They must write a personal housing plan for you if they decide that:
This includes what you can afford, the size and location of housing you need and any disability or health needs.
If you cannot afford to stay in your home
You can be legally homeless if you cannot afford to pay your rent or mortgage as well as for other important things like food, heating, clothes and transport.
You can ask the council to count you as homeless and help you to find housing that you can afford.
You do not always need an eviction notice from your landlord to get this help.
The council might ask to see details of your:
rent or mortgage costs
household bills
income from work, benefits or a pension
child maintenance payments
contributions to your rent or mortgage from other people - for example, adult children who live with you
Use our homelessness tool to check if the council can help you
Video: Council help if you cannot afford your rent or mortgage
Video transcript
With rising rents and interest rates, many people are really struggling to meet the costs of their housing.
You can be legally homeless and entitled to council support if your income will not cover both your rent or mortgage and other essential costs like heating, food, clothing and transport.
You can ask your council's housing options team to consider you homeless and help you find affordable housing.
A debt adviser can help you set out your income and outgoings.
Give the council as much detail as you can, including your:
rent or mortgage costs
household bills
income from work, benefits or a pension
essential childcare, transport or fuel costs
You can also tell the council if high rents in your area mean you cannot find anywhere suitable in your budget and they might offer financial help.
But bear in mind they might also suggest looking for housing in a cheaper area.
You can be legally homeless if your income will not cover both your rent or mortgage and other essential costs like heating, food, clothing or transport.
If you want to stay in the same area
Tell the council if you need to stay in the area because of:
work
you care for someone in the area
a local support network
specialist medical appointments
children in school or college - especially if they have support needs for their education or are studying for exams
Offers of housing in another council area
The council must try to find you housing in their area.
You might be offered housing in a different area if there is not enough housing you can afford where you live.
Find out more about:
Use our letter template
You might find it hard to get help from the council if you are not facing eviction.
Our letter template can help you to ask the council for help with housing if you're struggling to find a suitable home you can afford.
Put in as much detail about your income and spending as you can. Contact the council again if you do not hear back.
Last updated: 19 April 2024
