Homeless or about to lose your home? Emergency help routes

Act immediately - do not wait until you are on the street. Route 1: contact your local council's housing team today. Councils in England must help if you are homeless or likely to become homeless within 56 days; they must assess you and provide advice and, in many cases, emergency accommodation the same day, especially for families with children, pregnant women and vulnerable people. Outside office hours, every council has an emergency out-of-hours number. Route 2: call Shelter's free emergency helpline on 0808 800 4444 for expert advice on your rights, including if the council turns you away. Route 3: Citizens Advice can help with eviction notices, which are often invalid - never leave just because a landlord tells you to. If you are in immediate danger, including domestic abuse, call 999 now; the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247, free, 24 hours. Your visa status can affect what help you get, but always ask - some help exists for everyone.