People are homeless if:

They have nowhere to stay that night
They have no legal right to stay where they are living
They have a home but are in fear of violence at that address
They cannot live in the same house as the people with whom they would normally live.

If any of these circumstances apply, or are likely to apply within the next 28 days then the Council must provide assistance. In normal circumstances you will be given an appointment to discuss your circumstances with a housing officer. In an emergency you may be seen straight away.

The Council has a legal duty to ensure that all applicants for housing meet the eligibility criteria set out in law. This means they must ask you questions about your immigration status and whether you meet the legal requirements for assistance.


It is an offence to make a false statement, knowingly withhold relevant information or fail to inform them of any changes in your circumstances. If you commit any of these offences, you could be liable to a fine of up to £5,000.


Priority Need for Housing

Certain people have a priority need for housing if they are threatened with homelessness. If you are not in priority need the Council does not have a legal duty to secure housing for you.


You will, however, be given advice and assistance as appropriate to help you find somewhere to live.

Priority needs are:
People with dependent children
Pregnant women

If you have a priority need but are considered to be intentionally homeless the Council may only have a legal duty to provide you with temporary accommodation for a reasonable time to enable you to find your own home (normally 28 days).



People are considered to be intentionally homeless if they have done something or failed to do something which results in them losing their accommodation. This can include causing a nuisance to neighbours, committing criminal acts in their home, failing to pay their rent or voluntarily leaving a secure tenancy.


If you are eligible for assistance, in priority need and not intentionally homeless you must have a local connection with Wiltshire for the council to be able to secure you permanent housing.



If it appears you may be in priority need and you have nowhere to stay while your application is being assessed, the Council may provide you with temporary accommodation which may be Bed and Breakfast, hostel or council property.


Permanent accommodation will be provided by a Housing Association through your District Council.  Contacts for District Councils in Useful Contacts & Addresses section.


If you are unsure of your rights or need assistance, you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau (Useful Contacts & Advice section).