I have nowhere safe to stay
You might have nowhere to sleep tonight, be staying temporarily with friends, be facing eviction, or feel unable to remain where you are because of threats or abuse.
You might be sleeping rough, living in unsuitable accommodation or worried that you will soon lose your home.
Whatever your circumstances, there are organisations and public services that may be able to help.
You do not have to be sleeping on the streets to ask for homelessness assistance.
Jacob's House can help you find established services throughout the United Kingdom.
Do you need somewhere safe tonight?
Contact your local council's homelessness or housing options team now.
Explain that you have nowhere safe to stay tonight and need an urgent homelessness assessment.
If the council offices are closed, look for the council's out-of-hours homelessness emergency service.
The help and accommodation available depend on where you live and your circumstances.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call:
999Ask for the police or ambulance as appropriate.
Find your local council
Local councils and housing authorities are an important first point of contact if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
In England, councils must provide homelessness assistance to eligible people, although not everyone will qualify for emergency accommodation.
Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Find your local councilIf you are outside England, use the country-specific resources below.
Housing and homelessness support
Choose the organisation that matches where you live.
England
Shelter England
Free housing advice for people who are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight, or are at risk of losing their home.
Shelter provides advice; it does not directly provide accommodation.
0808 800 4444Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed weekends and bank holidays.
Visit Shelter EnglandScotland
Shelter Scotland
Free advice about homelessness, housing rights and accessing temporary accommodation.
If you are homeless in Scotland, contact a council homelessness team. You can approach any Scottish council for help.
0808 800 4444Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed public holidays.
Visit Shelter ScotlandWales
Shelter Cymru
Independent housing advice for people who are homeless, facing eviction or have nowhere safe to stay.
08000 495 495Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
Visit Shelter CymruNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Contact the Housing Executive if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
During office hours:
03448 920 900Emergency out-of-hours homelessness service:
03448 920 908The out-of-hours team assesses urgent homelessness crises when offices are closed.
Visit Housing ExecutiveYoung people aged 16–25
Centrepoint — England
Housing advice for young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless, sofa surfing or at risk of losing their accommodation.
0808 800 0661Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Visit CentrepointWorried about someone sleeping rough?
StreetLink
StreetLink helps connect people sleeping rough in England and Wales with local outreach services.
It is not an emergency accommodation booking service.
Visit StreetLinkIf you are under 18
If you are a child or teenager and have nowhere safe to stay, contact your local council's children's services team and explain that you need urgent help.
You can also speak to Childline for confidential support and help understanding your options.
Childline: 0800 1111
Do not assume you must manage an unsafe housing situation on your own.
If you are escaping violence or abuse
If it is unsafe to remain at home because of domestic abuse, threats or violence, tell the homelessness team when you contact them.
You may qualify for additional protection and accommodation assistance.
For specialist domestic abuse support, you can also visit our page:
I don't feel safe at homeIf someone is monitoring your phone or internet activity, consider using a safe device to seek help.
What if the council cannot help immediately?
Ask the council to explain what assistance it can offer and what you should do next.
Tell them about any circumstances that may affect your safety, including children, pregnancy, disability, illness, abuse or other vulnerabilities.
Consider contacting the relevant Shelter organisation for independent housing advice about your rights and options.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
About Jacob's House
Jacob's House is a UK signposting resource that helps people find established organisations and public services.
We do not provide accommodation, housing assessments, emergency placements or counselling.
You do not need to register or provide personal information to Jacob's House to use these resources.
