Whether you came to prison from a settled address or temporary accommodation, you can equally find yourself at risk of being homeless upon release.

If you are unable to find yourself a suitable accommodation before your sentence comes to an end, you may be able to present as homeless to the Housing Executive .

Depending on your circumstances, the Housing Executive may have a duty to provide you with accommodation. This can be a lengthy process, so you should submit a homeless application or present as homeless as soon as you get your release date.

I don’t know my release date

You can present as homeless to the Housing Executive either on the outside, after your release from prison, or from inside the prison while you are still in custody.  The Housing Executive must help you if it thinks you are homeless, or about to become homeless in the next 28 days. More

I know my release date

If you know your release date, you should present as homeless as soon as possible, as the Housing Executive now accepts applications from prisons.  More

Homelessness tests

The Housing Executive will have a duty to offer you accommodation if it is satisfied that you are a Full Duty Applicant. You will be a Full Duty Applicant if you pass all 4 homeless tests also known as “hurdles”.  More

How can the Housing Executive help?

If you pass all four homelessness tests, you will be given a Full Duty Applicant status and will be entitled to offers of permanent accommodation from either the Housing Executive or a housing association. If you fail the tests, you can ask to be assessed under the Selection Scheme. More

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