The Housing Executive will consider you in priority need if you are particularly vulnerable and have difficulties finding and maintaining housing due to your situation.

You may be able to pass the priority need test if:

• you have been in prison for a continuous period of four years,
• you have dependent children who will live with you,
• you are old,
• you are pregnant.

A case for homelessness can also be built on other vulnerability factors, such as mental health problems, substance misuse, illness, physical or learning disability, or any similar detrimental circumstance in your life.

If you have spent four years or more in prison, you will be seen as vulnerable by the Housing Executive due to institutionalisation.

The Housing Executive must send you a decision letter on your homeless application within 30 days. The letter must explain the reasons for the Housing Executive's decision on your homeless application. If the decision is negative, the letter must include reasons why the Housing Executive has decided you are not in priority need.

If the Housing Executive says you are not in priority need, you can challenge the decision. You will not be able to get a Full Duty Applicant status if you do not pass the priority need test. If you have concerns about failing this test, visit the following link for more information on priority need and homelessness assessment.

The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.