Get help from the council
Example of an email to send to your council
If you are homeless or facing homelessness, you can ask your council for help.
This is called ‘making a homelessness application.’
Use the text in the grey box below as a template to write an email to your council’s homelessness section.
Replace the words in bold text with your details.
You can also read the email out over the phone if you call the council directly.
To the homelessness team at [put the name of your council here]
My name is [put your full name here].
I am [delete one: facing homelessness/homeless] and need to make a homelessness application under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.
I want to speak to a homelessness officer urgently.
I need help because:
[write the reason you are or will be homeless here - for example: I’m facing eviction because I couldn’t pay my rent when I was furloughed].
I am in priority need because:
[choose the options below that apply to you]:
I have dependent children who live with me
I am pregnant (or someone you live with is pregnant)
I am vulnerable (eg because of old age, disability or mental illness)
I am homeless after (a flood, fire or other disaster)
I am applying for myself and for [write the names of the people who live with you here].
Thank you.
[Write your name]
[Write your phone number].
Attach any evidence that you have - for example:
a copy of an eviction court order
your notice from your landlord or mortgage lender
a letter from a friend or family you’re staying with saying they’ve asked you to leave
Immigration and residence
You need to meet immigration and residence conditions to get help.
Last updated: 1 February 2021
