Priority need

Priority need is one of the tests which a homeless person needs to pass for us to decide what help with housing you might be entitled to.

Other tests include whether the person is eligible for homeless assistance in terms of their immigration status, actually homeless, homeless through no fault of their own or intentionally homeless and has a local connection with the local area (determined by the local authority boundaries) where they are making their application.

Automatic priority need

The following people are automatically in priority need:

• A pregnant woman or any person living with a pregnant woman.
• Households with children who live with them or who might reasonably be expected to reside with them.
• 16 and 17 year olds who are not being looked after by social services under the Children Act 1989.
• 18 – 20 year olds (other than some students) who at any time between 16 and 18 were, but are no longer, looked after, accommodated or fostered • Any person who has lost their accommodation as a result of an emergency (e.g. fire or flood or other disaster).
• A person who is homeless as a result of that person being a victim of domestic abuse.

Other than this a single person will only be classed a priority need if they can demonstrate they are vulnerable. 

A homeless person may be 'vulnerable', in the words of s189 (1) (c) Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England) Order 2002, as a result of:

• old age
• mental health 
• physical disability
• having been in care (and now 21 or over)
• having been in the armed forces
• having been in custody
• having fled actual or threatened violence or
• other special reason

The words ‘other special reason’ show that vulnerability arising from other causes (e.g. being a refugee) which will also be considered by our team.

Evidence you will need to provide

In order for us to determine whether you have priority need, we will ask you to provide various pieces of evidence.

We recognise that providing such evidence can be challenging, especially if you are sofa surfing or have no fixed address, but it is vital you provide it - as providing it makes it possible for us to help you.

Find out more about the evidence you will need to provide. Please do what you can do to provide the information as soon as possible, as the sooner you get it to us, the sooner we can help you.

Whilst we will always aim to support you to provide the necessary evidence, ultimately it is every applicant's responsiblity to provide it. Not providing the necessary information to us in a timely manner may seriously delay the support we can provide to you. 

Interim and temporary accommodation

If we have reason to believe, based on the supporting information you provide, that you have priority need and are homeless, eligible for assistance and have a local connection, you may be eligible for interim or temporary accommodation - find out more.

Finding a longer term home

Once we have assessed you as having priority need we will work with you to help you find suitable longer-term accommodation - this could be through the housing register or through other suitable avenues such as private rented.

• If you refuse to co-operate with the steps in your personalised housing plan, and are in priority need, we will make offer you a 'final accommodation offer'. 
• If you refuse it, we will have no further duty to help you.

Find out what to expect if you do not have priority need.