If the Council is satisfied that you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, it then has to decide if you have a priority need for accommodation.

Persons in the following categories will be treated as in priority need:

a) Pregnant women (and their partners)
b) People with dependent children
c) People vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness/handicap or physical disability or other special reasons
d) People who are homeless as a result of flood, fire or other disaster.

The Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) Order 2002 also included the following groups as having a priority need for accommodation:

a) Most 16 and 17 year olds
b) Most care leavers under the age of 21
c) Persons who are vulnerable because of time spent in the armed forces or prison
d) Persons who are vulnerable because of violence

If you are homeless and have a priority need for accommodation, the Council has a duty to secure that accommodation becomes available for you whilst it makes its enquiries.

If you are homeless, but do not have a priority need for accommodation, the Council has no duty to provide you with accommodation. However, the Council must still provide you with advice and assistance to make your own arrangements.