Advice about homelessness

You do not have to be sleeping on the streets or not have a roof over your head to be considered homeless. Most people who are legally homeless are not on the streets.

Eligibility for assistance

There are many situations where the Council must accept you are homeless and may have a legal duty to help you with housing. 

For example, you are at risk of violence or abuse where you are living. It can be from a:

• partner
• ex-partner
• family member
• someone in your area

The Council may ask you to provide details of the incidents. Evidence is helpful, but the Council will not turn you away if you haven't reported to the police.

Also, you may be eligible for assistance from the Council if you:

• are street homeless because you do not have a roof over your head 
• can't afford to stay where you are
• are staying with friends or sofa surfing
• can't live together with your partner or close family
• have nowhere to put your houseboat or caravan
• you're at risk of losing your home
• are in temporary accommodation
• have been locked out or illegally evicted
• are in housing that is in very poor condition

If one or more of these apply, please get in touch with us for advice. 

Help and support

Further advice and support

You can get further advice from:

• Shelter - the housing and homelessness charity
• Citizens Advice - provides free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems
• Crisis - a national charity for homeless people
• National Domestic Violence Helpline - contact 0808 2000 247 the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline.