Some homeless people are not eligible for accommodation because they are persons from abroad or because they have spent long periods living abroad. In such cases, the Council cannot assist with accommodation. The list of classes of applicant who are not eligible is too lengthy to describe on this page. The Council would advise that such persons contact the Council so a decision can be given to them with respect to their eligibility.

Becoming intentionally homeless

You can be found to be intentionally homeless if you deliberately do or fail to do something in consequence of which you cease to occupy accommodation which was available for your occupation and which it would have been reasonable for you to continue to occupy.

You can also be treated as becoming intentionally homeless if you enter into an arrangement where you have to leave accommodation, which would have been reasonable for you to occupy, and the purpose of the arrangement is to enable you to become entitled to assistance as a homeless person.

Local connection

A Council will normally only have a full duty to provide accommodation if you have a local connection with the area you apply to. You have a local connection if you have resided in the area and;

• the residence is or was of your own choice or ,
• because you are employed there, or
• because of close family ties or
• because of special circumstances

If you have a priority need and you are unintentionally homeless but you and any other adult you live with does not have a local connection, the Council can refer you to an area where you do have a local connection.

Special rules apply if you have applied as homeless because of violence in an area.