How the Housing Executive can help

The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it. The Housing Executive has a legal responsibility to provide temporary accommodation for certain groups of people.

You may be entitled to help if:

• you are homeless or likely to become homeless within 28 days;
• you can only stay where you are temporarily;
• it's not reasonable for you to stay in your home (for example because of violence, overcrowding, poor conditions, or serious financial problems).

The rules on the help the Housing Executive has to give you are complicated.

Your rights will depends on your personal circumstances. The Housing Executive will assess your application to decide whether you meet all of the criteria, which are that you:

• are homeless or threatened with homelessness;
• are eligible for assistance;
• are in priority need;
• are not intentionally homeless.

Each of these terms has a legal definition.

The Housing Executive must look into your situation and give you advice to help you find a home. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be entitled to accommodation.

Some people can get help from social services, even if the Housing Executive won't help them.