Anyone can find themselves without a home. There’s tonnes of reasons why people find themselves without a home, or in a situation where they’re worried about their housing. Falling out with family, divorce, running away from home to escape abuse or being evicted by a landlord are all common reasons.

Being homeless doesn’t mean you have to be literally living on the streets. Perhaps you’re kipping on a mate’s floor, or crashing in someone’s spare room for a bit or in a hostel.

Whatever the reason, the first thing you should do if you’re threatened with homelessness is get advice.

Getting help

Your local housing aid centre or the council’s Homeless Persons Unit (HPU) will be able to give you expert help. Alternatively, get in touch with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau who can help you sort out the legal side of things like where the law stands on your situation and talk through your options. It might be that you don’t have to move out immediately or that you’re entitled to emergency accommodation. If you’re under 21 and have been in care, you may also be able to get help from social services department. If you’re not sure how to go about this, or are just feeling a bit overwhelmed and scared, then give CALM a call. They’ll talk you through what to do and listen to what you’re worrying about.