Priority Need

Who is Automatically in Priority Need?

• Pregnant women
• Households with dependent children (under 16, or under 19 if in full-time education)
• Young people aged 16-17 not living with family (except certain cases)
• Care leavers aged 18-20 who spent time in care aged 16 or 17
• Are homeless due to domestic abuse

Other Situations that may count

If you are vulnerable for another reason, the council may still decide you have priority need. Vulnerability could relate to:

• Old age
• Mental or physical health conditions
• Other special circumstances where being homeless would make you more at risk than an average person
• Homeless because of a disaster such as a fire or flood

You may also be considered vulnerable if you have been in or are leaving:
• Hospital
• The armed forces
• Prison