If you don’t pass all four homelessness tests, or hurdles, you will not be awarded a Full Duty Applicant status. You may still, however, be able to get permanently housed if you ask to be assessed under the Housing Executive’s Selection Scheme.

The Housing Executive must send you a letter with a decision on your homeless application. The letter must include reasons why the Housing Executive has decided you are not a Full Duty Applicant and not eligible for assistance as a homeless person.

 You may want to challenge the homelessness decision. If you are planning to appeal the Housing Executive's decision you should get advice. Ask for an appointment with your resettlement officer or housing adviser as soon as possible.

Even if the Housing Executive decides not to award you a Full Duty Applicant status, you may still be able to get permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive or a housing association.

The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.

You will need to be assessed under General housing selection scheme and pointed on the common housing waiting list. You will be interviewed by a local housing officer following your release and will be awarded points based on your circumstances in the community.

If you are unhappy with the decision the Housing Executive has made about your homeless application, you have a legal right to ask for this decision to be reviewed.

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

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