Homelessness

Get help finding somewhere to live or support to stay in your home.

How we can help

assess your housing situation
work out what your needs are
give you advice on the next steps to take

We will help you develop a personalised housing and wellbeing plan, which sets out what actions we will both take to prevent or relieve your homelessness.

Watch the video to find out more.

Step-by-step guide

Read Shelter’s step-by-step guide about how to get support from the Council if you are homeless or facing homelessness within eight weeks. The guide tells you about:

how we can help
how to ask us for help
homeless assessments
personal housing plans
who qualifies for housing
challenging a decision

Financial support

If you are having financial problems, we may be able to help you:

budget, manage your money and maximise your income
with benefit changes, such as universal credit, benefit caps or local housing allowance
find a job
with a deposit for private rented accommodation

Financial help will be available as part of your personalised housing and wellbeing plan.

Finding a home

renting and finding a home

Emergency accommodation

Emergency accommodation is in the form of hostels. You can access some of hostels directly without needing a referral.

Search for emergency accommodation on Homeless Link
Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 to find services near you
AKT supports young LGBTQ people with housing
If our offices are closed, call our out-of-hours number on 020 8314 7007 for emergency housing advice and assistance

Partners and duty to refer

Some public organisations (such jobcentres, A&E and probation services) must refer homeless people, or people at risk of homelessness, to us. This is called duty to refer.