Get a place to stay if you're homeless and on the streets

Emergency housing options if you're sleeping rough or have nowhere to stay.

Contact the council

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

• are in priority need or vulnerable

• meet immigration conditions

You might be vulnerable during coronavirus even if the council has not helped before. Tell them if you're over 55 or have underlying health conditions.

In December 2021 the government told councils to speak to anyone sleeping rough and offer emergency housing.

If you don't meet immigration conditions, the council should still look into your situation and can offer emergency accommodation and support during the pandemic.

Ask to speak to the rough sleeping team if the council's homeless team say they can't help.

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 will need to contact the hostel on your behalf.

Some hostels will let you call them or turn up in person. This is called self referral.

If you're offered a room in a 'direct access' hostel, you can usually move in straight away. Some hostels run a waiting list.

Night shelters

Night shelters offer a very basic place to stay for people who would otherwise be on the streets. You usually have to share the sleeping space with others.

Many night shelters remain closed because of coronavirus but they are open in some areas.

Find out more about night shelters during coronavirus.

Help from outreach teams

You can contact Streetlink if you're sleeping rough, or if you're worried about someone who is on the streets.

Streetlink can connect you with local outreach teams by passing on your location and description.

Outreach teams are usually charity workers who come out overnight to try and help people who are bedding down or sleeping rough.

They can sometimes help you access emergency housing or hostels.