Emergency Housing
If you need accommodation tonight or are at risk of sleeping rough:
- Contact your local council's housing department immediately - they have a legal duty to help homeless people in priority need
- Call our emergency helpline for assistance in finding emergency accommodation
- Use our shelter database to locate emergency shelters near you
- If you're under 18, contact social services immediately
Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency:
- Call 999 if there is immediate danger
- Contact the Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for crisis text support
- Go to your nearest A&E department where psychiatric services are available
Emergency Resources
Local Authority Emergency Contact
Your local council has a legal duty to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They operate emergency out-of-hours services even when their offices are closed.
How to contact your local council:
- Search online for "'your area' + council + housing emergency"
- Call their main switchboard and ask for the homelessness emergency service
- Visit your local police station who can contact housing services
- Call our helpline for assistance in connecting with your local authority
Your Legal Rights in an Emergency
Emergency Housing Rights
Local councils in the UK have a legal duty to help people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017:
- If you're homeless, the council must assess your situation
- If you're eligible and in priority need, they must provide emergency accommodation
- You have the right to a written decision
- You can challenge decisions you disagree with
Priority need includes families with children, pregnant women, vulnerable individuals due to age, illness or disability, and those homeless due to an emergency such as fire or flood.
Create an emergency housing letter →If You're Turned Away
If the council refuses to help, you can:
- Ask for the decision in writing
- Request a review of the decision within 21 days
- Contact Shelter's emergency helpline: 0808 800 4444
- Call our advocacy support line for assistance
- Seek advice from a housing solicitor or law centre
Don't give up if you're initially refused help. The council must provide temporary accommodation while they investigate if there's reason to believe you may be homeless, eligible for assistance and in priority need.
Contact Us for Emergency Support
Our Emergency Helpline
Our team is available 24/7 to provide emergency guidance and support.
Emergency Helpline:
+44 7853 811172Emergency Email: helpme@homeless.website
Facebook: Send us a message
Other Emergency Services
- Emergency Services: 999
- Non-emergency Police: 101
- NHS Urgent Care: 111
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Shelter Emergency: 0808 800 4444
- Domestic Violence: 0808 2000 247