Priority need

If you are eligible for assistance and are homeless or threatened with homelessness, we have a duty to work with you to try to prevent or relieve your homelessness.

If a duty is identified, we will discuss the options available for you and provide you with a personalised housing plan which will identify steps that both the council and you can take to try to resolve your situation.

If you are currently homeless or become homeless, emergency accommodation will only be provided if we have a reason to believe that you may be in priority need.

What counts as a priority need

You may have a priority need if:

• You are pregnant, currently living with someone who is pregnant or reasonably expected to reside with someone who is pregnant
• You have dependent children living with you or reasonably expected to live with you
• You are homeless as a result of experiencing domestic abuse
• You are vulnerable due to old age, mental illness, learning disability, physical health or other special reason or you currently live with or are reasonably expected to reside with such a person
• You are aged 16 or 17 and are not a relevant child or owed a duty by Children Services
• You are under 21 years of age, and you were previously looked after, accommodated or fostered between the ages of 16 and 18 (unless you are a relevant student)
• You are over 21 years of age and are vulnerable as a result of having been looked after, accommodated or fostered (except if you are a relevant student)
• You are vulnerable as a result of having been a member of His Majesty’s regular naval, military or air forces
• You are vulnerable as a result of having served a custodial sentence, been committed for contempt of court or similar offence or been remanded in custody
• You are vulnerable due to leaving your home because of violence from another person or threats of violence which are likely to be carried out
• You are homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster

We will consider your individual circumstances and any supporting information when assessing if you have a priority need.