Help if you’re homeless: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

You could be homeless if you:

• face eviction from your site, encampment or home

• have nowhere to legally park your mobile home

• need to leave your home because of violence

Help from the council

You can apply to any council for help if you're homeless or at risk of losing your home or pitch within 8 weeks.

The council must carry out an assessment of your housing needs.

They will help you write a personal housing plan that sets out steps you and the council can take to help your keep your home or pitch.

If you cannot keep your pitch or home, the council should work with you to try and find somewhere new.

Emergency housing

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

• be homeless

• have a priority need

• meet immigration and residence conditions

They must provide housing for you and anyone who usually lives with you as a member of your family.

Longer term options

If you qualify for longer term housing, the council must try to find you a suitable pitch or housing in the area. They could place you elsewhere if there are not local options.

The council must consider your cultural needs and way of life when deciding what is suitable.

If the housing or pitch offer is unsuitable

You can only challenge this in court with the help of a solicitor.

You can ask for a suitability review of:

• temporary housing

• final offers of a tenancy or a pitch

You should accept the offer and then ask for a review so you still have somewhere to live if your review is not successful.

Still need help?

For more help and advice:

For specialist advice and support, you can contact: