Get help if you're homeless or at risk of homelessness

Who can apply for help

We'll consider you legally homeless and help you if you're either:

  • already homeless
  • will become homeless within 56 days (8 weeks).

We'll also work with you if your situation will likely lead to homelessness. This means you're not yet legally homeless, but we want to stop this from happening.

The earlier we know about you and your situation, the more we can do to help. 

When you're considered legally homeless or at risk

You're considered legally homeless or at risk of homelessness if you:

  • have been told to leave your home
  • received a notice from your landlord or agent, for example a Section 21 or Section 8 notice
  • cannot get into your home, for example you have been locked out
  • are not safe to stay in your home, for example you're at risk of violence and abuse
  • have to leave because it's not reasonable to stay, for example your home is under demolition order
  • no longer have a legal right to live in your home
  • have received a letter advising of possession proceedings from your mortgage provider or landlord
  • live in very poor conditions including overcrowding
  • live in a home that's no longer suitable, for example for medical reasons.

You can find other situations you'll be considered legally homeless on the Shelter website. 

How we consider what sort of help you need

We'll need to check:

  • what caused you to be homeless
  • if you're eligible for help
  • if you have any priority need, for example being pregnant or living with children.

On the Shelter website you can find more information on:

Immigration and homelessness support

We ask each person about their immigration status. We'll ask you even if you're British and have always lived in the UK.

Some immigration statuses may limit the help we can offer.

Find out more about homeless applications and immigration status.