Key advice

You should always approach your local authority for housing advice in the first instance

• ​You can do this by approaching your local Housing Options service. Contact your Local Authority for their telephone number and opening hours
• For Local Authority emergency out of hours numbers (London only) visit the No Second Night Out website
• If you are single and homeless in London, call the Shelter advice line FREE on 0344 515 1540 or visit Shelter's London advice line

If you are a homeless asylum seeker or refugee or you recently arrived in the UK:

• Make sure the advice you are getting is from a qualified provider, such as the Refugee Council

You can also get help in the following ways

If you are a rough sleeper

• Contact StreetLink using the online referral tool or via their app. They will put you in touch with local services who can help
• Visit your local Day Centre for advice and support, food and drink, and more. You can find your nearest Day Centre here 

If you need a hostel or nightshelter (including winter shelters)

• Use the Homeless Link website to find details of hostels, night shelters and other services in London
• Find a winter shelter or cold weather shelter using the Homeless Link’s list of Winter Shelters

If you are pregnant, have dependents or are vulnerable due to age, disability or ill health

• Apply to your local council as homeless if you are pregnant, have dependent children or are vulnerable due to age, disability or ill health, as you may be owed a duty

If you are a young person

• Contact Alone in London, a service for young people ages 16 to 25 who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness
• For help getting work, training and accommodation, contact or visit New Horizon Youth Centre

If you are escaping domestic violence

• For women, find a refuge or get advice by calling the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247, open 24 hours a day
• For men, get support and information by calling the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327

If you identify at LGBTQ+ and need help with housing

• Contact Stonewall Housing via their online form or by calling 020 7359 5767

If you are a non-UK national

• First check if you are eligible for help from your local council
• If you are a European national or citizen of another country and are not entitled to claim benefits or have 'no recourse to public funds', find what to do when homeless in London
• If you have recently arrived in the UK from abroad, use the Housing Rights Information website to find out if you can get help with housing, benefits or what to do if you are destitute
• Contact the Refugee Council or British Red Cross if you are a refugee or asylum seeker
• If you are concerned about the impact of Brexit on your status and entitlements, find out what action you may need to take as an EU, EEA or Commonwealth citizen

If you need general housing or homelessness advice and support

• Find out more about day centres and what help is available from your local council using Homeless Link’s directory