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When everyone has a home

Housing advice for Northern Ireland

Eligibility for housing if you're not from UK or Ireland

You can only get help with housing if your immigration status allows this. You might be able to get help if

  • you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

  • you have been given refugee status

  • you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. 


You can't get help with housing if the government has said that you have "no recourse to public funds". 

Speak to us if you've been told you can't get help with housing because of your immigration status.

The EU Settlement Scheme

The EU Settlement Scheme or EUSS is a system that gives certain people from abroad a right to live and work in the UK.

It was agreed as part of the UK's exit from the European Union. People could apply to the EUSS if they are, or are a family member of someone who

  • is a national of an EEA country, and

  • was in the UK on 31 December 2020


After you apply to the EUSS, you will get

  • settled status, or

  • pre-settled status. 


Your rights depend on which status you have.

You should have applied to the EUSS by 30 June 2021. You may be able to make a late application after that date, but you'll need expert advice. Contact

Settled status

You can apply for housing if you have settled status. You'll need to show that you normally live in Northern Ireland.

Pre-settled status

You can't automatically apply for housing if you have pre-settled status. You have to pass further checks. You may be able to apply if you are working or have previously worked in the UK.

Contact us if you'd like to know more about your right to apply for housing.

Getting help with housing if you're a refugee

You can apply for housing if you are have refugee status. Extern and other charities may be able to help you apply for a home.

Contact us if you need help to apply for a home.

Indefinite leave to remain

You can apply for help with housing and homelessness if you have indefinite leave to remain, as long as

  • you normally live in Northern Ireland, and

  • your leave isn't dependent on an "undertaking". This is a promise that someone else will take care of all of your needs.