There are lots of reasons that you might find yourself unable to stay at home and need somewhere else to stay. If you have tried everything else but think that leaving is your only option, this page offers advice on your options and information on the organisations that can help you.

Being homeless doesn’t mean that you have no where to sleep – it means that you don’t have a home. Many homeless people are crashing on their friends’ floors or sofas, some have a car or caravan to sleep in, maybe they’ve just been sleeping here or there for a while. If you need permanent accommodation you have three options:

• Council housing and housing associations
• Renting
• Hostels and foyers

Council housing/housing associations
Although council housing is the cheapest option it is also the most difficult.
Because it is cheap, demand is greater than the supply and most councils have very long waiting lists. However you might be able to jump the queue if you are:

• Pregnant
• Have children
• Under 18 or over 65
• Suffer from a physical, emotional or mental illness

Most housing associations take names off the council waiting list. However there are some that you can apply directly to, most of these are fairly small local ones which you can find out about from your local advice centre.

As the rules applying to council housing and housing associations can be complicated we recommend that you get some help from one of the organisations in the list below.

Renting
If you are thinking of renting you first need to know the answers to the following questions:

• What sort of place are you looking for?
• How much can you afford each week?
• Are you eligible for housing benefit?
• What level of deposit do you have?
• Do you the necessary references available?
• Furnished or unfurnished?
• Do you have friends who want to share with you?

Once you are clear on your answers, you can start looking for suitable accommodation. Rented properties are displayed in all sorts of places from letting agencies to cards in local shops. This can be an expensive option- and even if you are eligible for housing benefit many landlords/ladies will not consider you if you receive it.

We recommend that you get some advice before you sign or agree anything. Check the level of financial contributions and understand exactly what you are paying for, and what is excluded - you don’t want any nasty surprises once you’ve moved in.

Hostels and foyers
Most hostels do not offer permanent solutions as they provide emergency help to those at risk. Local authorities and the organisations below can you give you details of the emergency places in the area.

Foyers provide temporary accommodation for young people aged 16-25. There are foyers in many parts of the country. You normally need to be referred by the local council and the accommodation is nicer than similar types of provision, although it can be expensive.

You can usually stay for periods of between nine to twelve months. There are specially trained workers to support you whilst you are there by helping you arrange housing benefit and helping you to find affordable accommodation when you leave.

Are there any rules?

• If you aren’t already in work or education, most foyers will expect you to get a place as soon as possible.
• If you don’t pay your rent, stop your training or become a nuisance to the others you could be asked to leave.

Useful organisations and help lines