Nowhere to sleep tonight: where to go and what the council owes you

Losing a place to sleep does not require a long decline — a sudden eviction, a break-up or a lost job in an unfamiliar city is enough. In Britain this is covered not by goodwill but by duties written into law. Here is where to go today, what the council must actually do, and who will be turned away.

Where to go first

Your local council. It is the body legally responsible for homelessness help, and you find yours by postcode on GOV.UK. Approach it not only when you are already on the street, but when you are about to lose your home.

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Councils generally look for a local connection — recent residence, close family in the area, or work there. In England no local connection is needed from current or former armed forces members; a bereaved spouse or civil partner losing Ministry of Defence housing after a service-related death; current or former Reservists with a service-attributed serious injury or illness; care leavers under 25; and survivors of domestic abuse. Scotland and Northern Ireland run different systems.

What the council must do today

Section 188 of the Housing Act 1996 is blunt: if the authority has reason to believe an applicant may be homeless, eligible for assistance and in priority need, it must secure that accommodation is available for them. This is an immediate duty that applies while the council is still making its inquiries.

Section 189B runs alongside it. Where the authority is satisfied an applicant is homeless and eligible, it must take reasonable steps to help them secure suitable accommodation for at least six months. For those in priority need who did not become homeless intentionally, that duty runs for 56 days.

What priority need means

It decides whether you get a roof immediately. It covers having children, being pregnant, being at risk of domestic abuse, and being vulnerable for other reasons. Shelter's guidance also gives as examples being 16 or 17 and unable to live at home, being under 21 after being in care from 16, and having a physical or mental health condition that makes you vulnerable.

One piece of advice from the same source: do not turn down emergency housing if you have nowhere else to go. If it seems unsafe, tell the council — it should check the risks and offer something else if it is unsuitable.

Who the council cannot help

Anyone who does not meet the immigration conditions. Social housing and homelessness assistance are listed as public funds. Under a "no recourse to public funds" condition, or with no permission to be in the UK, that help is generally unavailable. Exceptions exist, and the government advises checking the specific help with the agency that provides it.

Who to call tonight

Shelter's free emergency helpline is 0808 800 4444, open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, closed at weekends and on bank holidays, with waits that can exceed an hour. It is for people with nowhere to sleep tonight, facing harm at home, or expecting to lose their home within about two months. A webchat is also available. It covers housing law in England; Scotland and Wales have Shelter Scotland and Shelter Cymru.

What it costs

Charity night shelters and day centres are free. Council emergency accommodation is not: it is charged like rent, and can be covered by housing support for those entitled to it — the very entitlement closed off by a public funds restriction. A commercial hostel charges its own nightly rate and sits outside both systems.