Housing advice for non-UK citizens

If you are not a UK citizen and do not have residency status, you may have fewer options for help with housing. If you are an asylum seeker, a refugee, or appealing against an unsuccessful asylum claim, you may still be entitled to housing and support. You can find out more about this here.

The Housing Rights website has information for people who are at different stages in the immigration process, including:

• new arrivals to the UK
• refugees
• people with indefinite leave to remain
• people with work permits.

Local authority (council) social services departments have a duty to help people with ‘social care needs’. This includes people who suffer from ill health and people who have experienced domestic violence.

It also has information on how to apply for housing with a council or a housing association.

You can’t claim benefits in the same way as UK citizens, but you may be able to get Housing Benefit and other financial help.

THT has produced a publication called What you should know about finding somewhere to live. You can see it online here or order a copy free of charge from THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.