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If you are homeless or about to lose your home, you may have a right to return to, or stay in your home.
You could get temporary accommodation from the Housing Executive or help from social services. The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it. You can still vote when you are homeless.
Remaining in your accommodation
In some circumstances you may have the right to stay in your accommodation. For example, if your landlord evicted you without following the correct legal procedure, or you have a right to remain in the property after the breakdown of a relationship. Even if you have already left the accommodation you may be able to return if you still have the right to live there.
It is important to get advice before leaving your accommodation. The Housing Executive may not offer you temporary accommodation if you leave your accommodation when you don't have to, or don't return to it when you are entitled to. The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it.
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Housing Executive duties
The Housing Executive has a duty to provide advice on homelessness and its prevention to anyone in Northern Ireland who asks for it. The Housing Executive must carry out an enquiry into your housing situation if you make a homelessness application at a Housing Executive District Office .
If you pass certain legal tests you will be given Full Duty Applicant (FDA) status and you will be entitled to accommodation from the Housing Executive. You should get temporary accommodation if the Housing Executive decides that you are:
If you can also prove you did not become homeless intentionally , then the Housing Executive will give you FDA status and provide you with permanent accommodation.
If you do not pass all the tests the Housing Executive will give you advice on how to find new accommodation. Contact a local advice agency if you are unsure of your rights, or the Housing Executive is unable to help you.
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Social services' duties
Social services may have a duty to help you if you are homeless and fall into one of the following categories:
- you are under 18,
- you have been in care and are under 21,
- you have a disability,
- you have mental health problems,
- you are an older person.
Social services may be able to help families with children even if the Housing Executive will not help you because you are seeking asylum or it decides you are intentionally homeless. However, social services are not required to provide accommodation where everyone can live together.
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Voting
If you are over 18 and a UK citizen you are entitled to vote even if you are homeless. Instead of registering at a permanent address, you can register at a temporary address. You can also register  your local electoral office as your address and collect your polling card from the office. You can do this at any time but you must update it every year.
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