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You may be able to get help from the Housing Executive or social services depending on your age and whether you have spent time in care. This section also outlines the problems you may face when renting privately.
Leaving home
Leaving home can give you more freedom, independence and space but it's not guaranteed to be a positive experience. It isn't always easy to find a suitable place and living on your own can be expensive. Many young people leaving home for the first time run into problems. Preparing properly makes leaving home easier and can help you to avoid becoming homeless.
If you are 18 you can leave home at any time without your parent or guardian's consent. However, If you're 16 or 17, you normally need permission to leave but you can't be forced to go back home, especially if you're in danger there.
If you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home, your rights are very different as you're still considered to be a child. If you're under 16 and thinking of leaving home, you should telephone Childline on 0800 1111. Childline is open 24 hours a day. Childline advisers can help with lots of different problems - not just housing.
You can also telephone the Children's Law Centre on 0808 808 5679. The Children's Law Centre can give you advice on what your rights are in Northern Ireland.
Whatever you say to an adviser is usually just between you and the adviser. They won't contact anyone else about your situation unless you agree to it or you're in danger.
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Help from the Housing Executive when homeless
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. The level of assistance you will receive from the Housing Executive depends on your personal circumstances.
The Housing Executive must make enquiries about your housing situation if it believes you are homeless or about to become homeless. The Housing Executive can't make assumptions about your personal circumstances. If the Housing Executive refuses to accept your homelessness application you should get advice as soon as possible.
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Help from social services when homeless
Social services usually refers to statutory agencies who are by law responsible for the care, protection, health and well being of vulnerable people, including children and young people.
Social services is often used to describe the health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland. Health and social care trusts have some responsiblity for the welfare of children and young people. This includes caring for children and young people at home, in hospitals, in residential homes and children and young people who live with foster parents.
Social services don't have to help all homeless people who are under 18. However, social services do have to look into your situation to check the help you are entitled to. You will probably be entitled to help from social services if you are under 18 and:
- you have spent some time in care,
- you are disabled,
- social services decides that you are a "child in need".
If you are under 18 and not in one of these groups you should ask the Housing Executive for help if you are homeless.
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Getting Housing Executive accommodation
You can usually only apply for permanent accommodation in Northern Ireland if you are over 18 and you have a local connection with Northern Ireland. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.
If the Housing Executive decides you are homeless you may be entitled to more help. The rules about people from abroad are complicated. An adviser can help if you have been told that you can't apply for help.
Age requirements
You usually must be over 18 before you can apply for permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive. If you are between 16 and 18 you can apply if:
- you are leaving care,
- you have dependent children,
- you are pregnant,
- you are married,
- you need the accommodation to take up training, education or a job offer.
Local connection
Even if you meet the age requirement you (or a member of you household) must have a substantial local connection. For example:
- you are living in Northern Ireland,
- you have lived in Northern Ireland in the past,
- you have a job in Northern Ireland,
- you are looking for a job in Northern Ireland.
You may be able to show that you have a substantial connection with Northern Ireland for other special reasons. For example, you need to live in Northern Ireland for family support or educational reasons.
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Renting privately
It can be difficult to rent somewhere to live if you are under 18. A landlord can't legally allow you to take up a tenancy. However, you may be able to rent if you are under 18 if someone else takes up the tenancy on your behalf until you turn 18.
Renting privately can be expensive. Rent is usually higher than staying in Housing Executive or housing association accommodation and your landlord will usually ask you for a deposit and a month's rent in advance before you can move in. You may be able to get help to pay a deposit or rent in advance.
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Paying for your accommodation
You may be able to get help to pay for your accommodation. Housing benefit helps people who have a low income to pay their rent or rates. You don't need to be on benefits to claim housing benefit. However, you will need to have a low income.
Single people under 25 can only get enough housing benefit to pay for the average rent of a single room in your area. The Housing Executive calls this the "single room rent" . This is the case even if you live alone. You may get more housing benefit if:
- you are a single parent,
- you rent from the Housing Executive or a housing association,
- you are under 22 and have spent time in care since the age of 16 ,
- you are disabled,
- you share your accommodation with other people who could be expected to pay rent.
If the single room rent applies to you, you will have to pay the difference between your rent and your housing benefit from your income or savings. Depending on the size and cost of your accommodation, this could be expensive.
Get advice if you are only getting the "single room rent" and you think you might fall into one of the above categories.
I've been in care
If you are under 18 and you have spent time in care you probably won't be able to claim housing benefit. However, social services will normally pay for your accommodation until you are 18.
If you are having problems paying for your accommodation you can apply to the Housing Executive for housing benefit. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.
If you are not in full-time education you can claim housing benefit when you turn 18. You will get more than the single room rent until you turn 22.
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Help to pay for a hostel
You will have to pay for your hostel. The rent varies between hostels but can be expensive. You will also have to pay for your laundry and meals.
Most hostels have staff who can check what you are entitled to and help you to claim benefits. You may be able to claim housing benefit. However, it may not cover all of your rent and won't cover any extra services such as laundry or meals.
If you are receiving jobseeker's allowance or income support, the cost of your hostel or nightshelter will be paid. However, you will have to pay for any extra services such as laundry or meals.
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Claiming benefits
You may be able to get money from the government to help increase your income. There are many different types of benefits available and it's important to check whether you are getting everything you are entitled to.
For most benefits, the amount you get depends on:
- your income,
- your savings,
- your age and personal circumstances.
If you live with your partner your incomes may be added together. Many advice centres have staff who specialise in benefits. They can check whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to and that the amount you get has been calculated correctly.
If you are under 18 you can usually only claim jobseeker's allowance in limited circumstances, and you will normally receive less per week than someone who is over 18.
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Foyers for young people
In Northern Ireland, there are foyers for young people. Similar to hostels, foyers house young people (usually from 16 to 25) who want to develop skills and prepare for living independently.
Foyers vary in size and the amount of support they offer. You can usually stay there for nine months to a year. Staff at a foyer can help you find affordable accommodation to move into when you leave.
Foyers usually work closely with the careers service and training agencies. If you get a place in a foyer, you will have to sign up to an education and training programme based on:
- the skills you already have,
- the type of job you are interested in.
If you refuse to get involved, you won't get a place.
Most foyers have a waiting list. You can apply directly to some foyers but usually you need to arrange a place through:
- a hostel,
- the Housing Executive,
- an advice centre.
You usually have to have an interview and sign an agreement saying that you will obey the rules and take part in education and training schemes.
You can get information about foyers in your area from your local Housing Executive District Office , a local advice agency or the Foyer Federation website .
How much will it cost?
Rent in foyers can be expensive. If you are on benefits orearn a low income, you can claim housing benefit. Housing benefit might not pay all the rent and won't cover:
You will probably have to pay the difference from your other income. The workers at the foyer can help you claim and check whether you can get any other benefits.
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