Emergency housing from the council
Who can get emergency housing?
Emergency housing is a short term place to stay if you have nowhere to go.
The council must give you emergency housing if they think you might:
have a priority need
You could have a priority need because you:
have children
are pregnant
are at risk of domestic abuse
You can stay there while the council looks into your situation.
They decide if they must help you with longer term housing.
Video: Can you get emergency housing?
Video transcript
It’s unfair that councils don’t have to find emergency housing for everyone.
But they must find you somewhere to stay if you are homeless and have a priority need.
For example, you could be:
16 or 17 and cannot live at home
pregnant or live with dependent children
at risk of domestic abuse where you live
under 21 and were in care after you turned 16
vulnerable because of a physical or mental health condition
Emergency housing could be a room in a hostel or a hotel. There's also a chance it could be in a different area.
It’s just an emergency place to stay to prevent you from having nowhere to go.
The council might then have to help with longer term housing.
But be aware, they will check your eligibility and your immigration status.
Our Shelter adviser explains who can get emergency housing.
Do not turn down emergency housing if you have nowhere else to go
The council might not offer you anywhere else.
Tell the council if you're worried about the safety of the housing.
The council should look at safety risks and find you something else if it's not suitable.
Emergency housing has to be very unsuitable to be challenged in court.
Last updated: 30 May 2025
