There is a myth that single homeless and couples without children in Scotland can't get rehoused by the council, this is not at all true.

Unlike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where homeless people have to be "priority need homeless", in Scotland all homeless people have the right to temporary accommodation from the council, and to be rehoused by the council. "Priority need" does not exist in Scotland, it was abolished in 2012, and councils have to rehouse all homeless people and provide temporary accommodation.

[scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional\_resources/legal/homelessness/main\_categories](http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness/main_categories)

Another difference is that in Scotland since 2019 a council no longer has to investigate whether an applicant is intentionally homeless, but they may do so if they think fit. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland councils don't rehouse homeless people who are intentionally homeless. [scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional\_resources/legal/homelessness/intentionality](http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness/intentionality)

The other difference is that in Scotland homeless people can make a homeless application to any council, not just the council where you have a local connection. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland homeless people can only make a homeless application to council where they have a local connection, except if they're fleeing domestic abuse, violence or threats of violence.

So if you're homeless in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and can't get rehoused by your council because you're not priority need or are intentionally homeless, consider moving to Scotland and making a homeless application there.

# Making a homeless application with the council

Make a homeless application by [contacting your council’s homeless team](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/council_contact). They must give you temporary accommodation if you need it.

The council cannot refuse a homeless application if they have reason to believe:

* you’re homeless
* you’re likely to become homeless in the next 2 months

The council will interview you and look into your situation to decide if you'll be offered longer term help.

Only 1 person needs to make the application for your household.

# When to make a homeless application

You can make a homeless application if you're homeless or at risk of becoming homeless soon.

You do not have to be on the streets to be homeless. You're [legally homeless](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/legally_homeless) if you do not have a safe and secure home.

It's best to get in touch with the council's homeless team during office hours. You can contact them out of hours if you need to, google the name of your council and "homeless out of hours" for the number and they will get you temporary accommodation until the next working day, when you then make a homeless application.

# Where to make a homeless application

You can make a homeless application at any council in Scotland.

You can apply over the phone or in person, depending on the council. [Check how to apply to your council](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/council_contact).

The council should not tell you to apply elsewhere, even if you do not have a local connection to the area. Check Shelter Scotland's advice on [local connection](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/decisions/local_connection).

# What to say to the council

Tell the council you need to make a homeless application.

The council has a legal duty to offer you [temporary accommodation](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/temporary_accommodation/getting) while they look into your situation.

Check Shelter Scotland's advice [if the council refuses to help you](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless/refused_help).

# If you do not have a home

You can read out this text when you speak to the council.

"I need to make a homeless application because I have nowhere to stay.

I’m asking you to accept my homeless application and provide me with temporary accommodation today."

# If your home is not reasonable to live in

You can read out this text when you speak to the council. Tell them why it's not reasonable for you to stay in your home.

"I need to make a homeless application because it's not reasonable to stay in my home.

<explain why, for example: I'm experiencing abuse in my home / my home is a danger to my health / an eviction order has been granted against me>

I’m asking you to accept my homeless application and provide me with temporary accommodation."

.

More information on Shelter Scotland website: [scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing\_advice/homeless](http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homeless)

.

# Homeless resources in Scotland

Where to get free food, showers, laundry, clothes, sleeping bags, tents, free SIM card with free data, calls and texts etc:

[edinburghhomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry](http://edinburghhomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry)

[glasgowhomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry](http://glasgowhomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry)

[dundeehomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry](http://dundeehomeless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry)

[aberdeenh0meless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry](http://aberdeenh0meless.wordpress.com/free-food-showers-laundry)

Also see [londonhomelessinfo.wordpress.com/homeless-survival-guide-how-to-find-homeless-resources](http://londonhomelessinfo.wordpress.com/homeless-survival-guide-how-to-find-homeless-resources)

Single homeless in Scotland - How to get rehoused by the council