Act early
If you are homeless, sleeping somewhere unsafe, unable to remain where you live or likely to lose your accommodation, contact the official homelessness service for your area as soon as possible. Do not rely only on a normal housing-register application.
What the authority does
The responsible public body will assess your circumstances and the duties it owes under the law applying in that UK nation. It may ask about why you are homeless, your household, eligibility, support needs and where you can safely stay.
Immediate danger
If you are in immediate danger, use the emergency services. If abuse or violence is involved, tell the housing service if it is safe to do so; this can be relevant to safe accommodation and how your case is handled.
Use verified local routes
AHH local guides prioritise official homelessness links alongside ordinary housing application routes. Policies and legal duties differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so use the service for the place where you need help.
Find the official route for your area
AHH local guides bring together the authority, provider and application evidence we have verified for each area. Use them to move from general guidance to the official service responsible for your application.
Browse UK local housing guidesAbout this guide
AHH distinguishes between evidence that affordable housing exists and evidence that a particular home is currently available. Always verify eligibility, rent, charges, deadlines and availability with the official organisation before acting.