What to Do After Being Made Homeless in the UK

Being made homeless can be frightening and confusing. You may not know what to do next or where to turn for help. At P3 Charity, we support people experiencing homelessness every day. This guide explains the steps you can take if you have been made homeless in the UK or think you might lose your home soon.

Step 1: Contact Your Local Council Immediately

Your local council’s housing team should be your first point of contact if you are homeless or about to become homeless. Under UK homelessness law, your council has a duty to assess your situation if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

By making a homeless application, you can access support services more quickly. Many people delay contacting the council but getting help early can improve your chances of finding safe and stable housing.

You can apply as homeless or at risk of homelessness if:

• You have nowhere safe to stay tonight.
• You have been evicted.
• You have been asked to leave by family or friends.
• You are at risk of losing your home within the next eight weeks (56 days).

When you contact the council, say clearly that you need help because you are homeless. The council will assess your situation and may create a Personalised Housing Plan with you to either help you stay in your current home or provide temporary accommodation.

If you need emergency accommodation, tell the council straight away that you have nowhere safe to stay. In some situations, councils must provide emergency or temporary accommodation while they investigate your case. This is sometimes called ‘interim accommodation’.

You may be more likely to receive emergency accommodation if you:

• Have children living with you
• Are pregnant
• Have physical or mental health needs
• Are fleeing domestic abuse
• Are vulnerable or at risk of harm

Even if you are unsure, it is important to ask. If you have difficulty getting accommodation or understanding what the council is telling you, don’t hesitate to contact a homelessness support service, like us at P3.

Get homelessness support from P3 Charity.

Step 2: Gather Important Documents

If possible, try to collect documents that explain your housing situation. This helps services understand your circumstances more quickly and support your homeless application.

Useful documents include:

• An eviction notice or Section 21 notice
• A letter asking you to leave your accommodation
• Identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Any letters from your landlord or housing provider
• Medical or support letters, if relevant

Do not worry if you do not have everything. You can still apply for homelessness support without these documents.

Step 3: Speak to a Homelessness Support Service

Experiencing homelessness can affect many parts of your life. Housing, wellbeing, finances and relationships may all be impacted. Homelessness support services can help you understand your housing rights, find safe accommodation and plan your next steps. They can also support you with financial advice and mental health support.

Many charities and local organisations work alongside councils to provide this support and help people understand their rights under UK homelessness law.

If the council makes a decision about your housing application, they must explain it to you. If you think the decision is wrong, you can ask for it to be reviewed. Many people do not realise they have the right to request a review of a homelessness decision.

That’s where support workers or housing advisers come in, they can help you understand the process and what to do next, providing clear and unbiased advice.

It’s also important to look after yourself. Experiencing homelessness can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. Getting support early can help prevent a housing crisis from becoming worse.

While you are seeking housing support, it can help to:

• Speak to a GP or healthcare professional
• Talk to someone you trust
• Contact local support organisations
• Ask services about wellbeing or mental health support

Housing is important, but so is your wellbeing. Many services will support you directly or signpost you to specialist services. You do not have to face homelessness alone.

Step 4: If You’re About to Become Homeless

You do not have to wait until you are homeless to ask for help. If you are at risk of being made homeless, your council still has a duty to assess and support you.

You should seek support if:

• You have received an eviction notice
• You cannot afford your rent or mortgage
• You are leaving care, prison or hospital
• Your current housing is unsafe
• You have been told you must leave your home

Getting the right advice early can prevent homelessness in some situations. This is something we see every day at P3. We support people at very different stages of their housing journey – from crisis situations to early prevention support.

Support can include housing advice, supported accommodation, crisis services, independent living skills and wellbeing support. We understand that every person’s situation is different, so support should be flexible and focused on what matters to them.

Get support from P3 Charity today.

You’re Not Alone

If you have been made homeless, it is important to remember that help is available.

Many people experience homelessness at some point in their lives. With the right support, it is possible to find stability and move forward. Taking the first step by contacting your local council or a homelessness support service can make a real difference.

Whether you need housing advice, emergency accommodation or simply someone to talk to, P3 Charity is here to help.