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 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.

If you don't meet any of the tests you are not entitled to permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive as a homeless person. However, you can still apply for accommodation using the Selection Scheme. You can appeal the Housing Executive's decision at any time.

Overview of the tests

If you are homeless, or about to become homeless in Northern Ireland the Housing Executive must assess you. The Housing Executive uses four tests to see if they have a duty to house you. You must meet all the tests to be eligible for permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive or a housing association as a homeless person. More

Homelessness test

The Housing Executive must check whether you are homeless or likely to be homeless before they decide what help to give you. The Housing Executive must look at your personal circumstances. It is possible to be homeless if you have somewhere to stay. Get advice if you don’t fit into one of the categories below but think that you are homeless. More

Priority need test

The Housing Executive will consider you in priority need if you are particularly vulnerable. If you are homeless, eligible for assistance and the Housing Executive thinks you may be in priority need you can get temporary accommodation while it completes the investigation. More

Intentionally homeless test

You will be intentionally homeless if your actions have caused your homelessness. If you can show your actions were in good faith you may be unintentionally homeless. You can appeal the decision of the Housing Executive. More

Eligible for assistance test

The Housing Executive can only help eligible applicants. You may not be eligible if you are a person from abroad or if it decides you are guilty of unacceptable behaviour. If you think you are not eligible you should get specialist advice. More

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