Homelessness

Find out what homelessness is, how it can be avoided, how you can get help and what to do if you’re sleeping rough.

You don’t have to be living on the street to be homeless. You may be sleeping on a friend’s sofa, staying in a hostel, or living in overcrowded or unsuitable accommodation.

If you need to talk urgently to someone, call our helpline.

If you are under 25, take a look at our Emergency help and I’ve been kicked out advice which has been specifically put together for young people.

What is homelessness?

You may be homeless if you live in unsuitable housing, don’t have rights to stay where you are or you’re sleeping rough.

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Avoiding homelessness

There are sometimes ways to avoid becoming homeless, even when the situation appears hopeless.

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Your rights if you are homeless

Find out what your basic rights are if you are homeless or are likely to be homeless soon. You may have more rights than you think.

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Emergency accommodation

If you are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and need somewhere to stay in an emergency there may be a number of options available to you.

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Getting help from the council

Local councils have legal duties to help people who are homeless or in danger of losing their home. In most cases the council will have to provide you with advice and may have to help you find a home.

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Getting help from social services

If you are homeless or about to become homeless, the councils’ social services department might be able to help you.

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Sleeping on the streets

If you are sleeping rough, there is help available. Specialist services such as day centres, outreach teams and night shelters might be able to help you.

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EU and EEA nationals

From 1 January 2021 important new rules affect the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals in the UK to apply for homelessness help from the council.

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Asylum seekers

If you are an asylum seeker, a refugee or are appealing against an unsuccessful asylum claim, you may be entitled to housing and support.

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Did you find this helpful?

Yn anffodus, ni allwn ddarparu'r wybodaeth hon yn Gymraeg. Mae cyfieithiad Cymraeg ar gael trwy'r ddolen Cymorth Clyweledol ar frig y dudalen. Fodd bynnag, ni fydd y cyfieithiad yn gwbl gywir bob amser gan ei fod yn cael ei gynhyrchu'n awtomatig
Unfortunately, we cannot provide this information in Welsh. There is a Welsh translation available via the Audio Visual Help link at the top of the page. However, these will not always be completely accurate as they are automatically generated.

This page was last updated on: April 27, 2023

Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.