Homelessness advice: For professionals

Not everyone is entitled to a homelessness assessment. But the Housing Executive is expected to make inquiries if they have reason to believe that a person is homeless or threatened with homelessness.

There are two different tests (sometimes called ‘assessments’) the Housing Executive uses to determine if an applicant is eligible for assistance. 

The UK has six types of British nationality. It is important to know which type a person holds and whether they are a British citizen.

Certain people in vulnerable circumstances have 'priority need'. The Housing Executive assess each person's circumstances as part of a homelessness assessment.  

The Housing Executive does not have a duty to provide accommodation to someone who is intentionally homeless.

The Housing Executive has a duty to provide temporary or interim accommodation to people who meet certain criteria.

The Housing Executive has a duty to ‘secure that accommodation becomes available’ for a person who passes all four homelessness tests.

Social services and the Housing Executive should work together when a person aged 16 or 17 presents as homeless.