Being accepted as homeless is an important decision within the homelessness process.

However, it does not automatically mean that housing is immediately available.

Local authorities have legal duties towards people who are homeless, including duties relating to temporary accommodation and assistance. (Source)

Housing availability is a separate issue.

Councils must balance homelessness duties, social housing availability, existing waiting lists, housing allocations and the needs of other households already within the system.

As a result, two things can be true at the same time.

A council can accept that someone is homeless.

And suitable housing may not be immediately available.

This distinction is important because different parts of the system are performing different functions.

The homelessness decision establishes what duties the council owes.

The housing system determines what accommodation is available and when it can be offered.

Understanding this difference can make it easier to understand why a homelessness decision does not always result in an immediate housing offer.

It also explains why people can sometimes spend extended periods in temporary accommodation after a homelessness decision has been made.

This guide has been developed to support communication and engagement while navigating that process.

It provides a simple framework for communication, follow-up and engagement while homelessness duties are being carried out and longer-term housing options are being considered.

Download here.