The Housing Executive will check whether you are homeless or likely to become homeless by applying four homeless tests to your circumstances.

When testing you against the homeless hurdles, the Housing Executive will look at your personal circumstances. You should pass the homeless test if you do not have suitable accommodation and are due to be released from prison within 28 days.

Sofa surfing, sleeping at friends’ houses and other forms of temporary shelters are not suitable accommodation. This means that even if you stay temporarily with friends, family or at a hostel on release, you can still be assessed as homeless.

You could pass this test even if you have accommodation to go to, but it is not reasonable for you to return to it. This could be due to various reasons, such as threats, unsuitability of accommodation or a relationship breakdown between yourself and the person still residing in your home.

Example: You lived in a joint tenancy with your partner before going to prison. Your relationship has broken down while you were in prison. It would not be reasonable to expect that you return to your previous home after release, so you should pass the first homelessness test.

The following link to our main website offers a full explanation of the homeless test.

The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.