When you make a homelessness application, the council will want to check certain information so that they can make decisions about what help to give you.
Download our Homeless – What can I do? factsheet.
GAZA UPDATE
In response to the outbreak of violence in Israel that commenced 7 October 2023, there has been an important change in law.
This change helps certain groups of people fleeing the violence to receive housing assistance.
The following people are now eligible for homelessness assistance and community landlord housing without having to satisfy the conditions of the ‘habitual residence test’:
People arriving in Wales who are subject to immigration control:
- who were residing in Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights or Lebanon immediately before 7 October 2023 and left in connection with the attack on 7 October 2023 or the violence which rapidly escalated in the region following the attack;
- who have been granted leave in accordance with the immigration rules;
- whose leave is not subject to a condition requiring them to maintain and accommodate themselves, and any person dependent upon them, without recourse to public funds, and
- whose leave was not given as a result of an undertaking that a sponsor would be responsible for the person’s maintenance and accommodation.
People not subject to immigration control:
- who were residing in Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights or Lebanon immediately before 7 October 2023 and left in connection with the attack on 7 October 2023 or the violence which rapidly escalated in the region following the attack.
- If you have arrived from Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights or Lebanon elsewhere in the United Kingdom, please check Shelter England, Shelter Scotland, or Housing Advice Northern Ireland for updates.
What information will the council check?
The council will want to know:
- the circumstances that have caused you to become homeless or threatened with homelessness
- your housing needs, and those of any person living with you
- whether you, or any person living with you, needs support
- what you want to achieve from making the application.
The officer should allow you to explain your situation and allow you to feel able to discuss all of your options and concerns.
The council will look at the information you provide and any documents you take with you.
The council may also contact people and organisations that know about your housing situation to find out more about your circumstances. This might include your previous landlord or mortgage lender and/or any agencies that have provided support for you in the past.
What decisions will the council make?
At different stages in your application, the council might need to decide:
- whether you are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- whether you are eligible for assistance
- whether you are in priority need
- whether you have a local connection with the area.
The council may also decide to check whether you are intentionally homeless, although not all councils will do this. If you are homeless, eligible and in priority need when you apply, the council will probably have to give you emergency accommodation even if they are considering whether you are ‘intentionally’ homeless.
Each of the criteria below have special legal meanings. For more information on each criteria and when they are considered click on the links below:
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This page was last updated: April 20, 2026
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.
