The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive must help you if it thinks you are homeless, or about to become homeless in the next 28 days. It will assess your circumstances using legal tests. You may be able to get temporary accommodation while your homeless application is examined. You can appeal if the Housing Executive decides that you are not homeless.

Housing Executive's duty

If you are homeless or about to become homeless you should apply to the Housing Executive for help. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive must investigate your personal circumstances if you state that you are homeless on the Housing and Transfer Application Form.  More  

How long will it take?

Your application begins when the Housing Executive interviews you. The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days. The assistance you get and the length of time you will have to wait for permanent accommodation depends on your personal circumstances. More   

Making an application

You can only apply as homeless if you are living in Northern Ireland. Don't wait until you are homeless before making your application. Apply as homeless if you are about to become homeless within the next 28 days. You can usually make your application at your local Housing Executive District Office. More   

Tests for homelessness

The Housing Executive must give you permanent accommodation if you apply as homeless and meet the four legal tests to become a Full Duty Applicant. To meet the legal tests you must be homeless, eligible for assistance, in priority need and not intentionally homeless. More  

What will the interview be like?

The Housing Executive must interview you if you state you are homeless on your Housing Application Form. The interviewer will look at your circumstances and the reason for your homelessness. Bring any documents that support your application. More   

What happens next?

If you meet the four homelessness tests you will be given Full Duty Applicant status. Full Duty Applicants are entitled to permanent accommodation from either the Housing Executive or a housing association. You are entitled to temporary accommodation until suitable permanent accommodation is available. More  

I'm not legally homeless

The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days. The letter must include a reason or reasons why the Housing Executive has decided you are not homeless or threatened with homelessness. If the Housing Executive decides that you are not legally homeless you can appeal. Temporary accommodation may be available during your appeal. You may also be able to get help from social services if the Housing Executive is unable to help you. More   

Appeals process

If you are unhappy with the Housing Executive's decision, you can appeal. If the Housing Executive doesn't change the decision, you can complain to the Ombudsman or seek a judicial review. Temporary accommodation may be available while appealing.
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