Priority need

You will always have a priority need if you or a member of your household:

• is experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse
• is pregnant
• has dependent children
• is homeless as a result of a fire, flood, or other disaster

If you are a young adult, you will have a priority need if:

• you are a care leaver aged 18 to 20, who was looked after or housed during the ages of 16 or 17 (this is even if you are not currently in receipt of social care)
• if you are aged 16 or 17 and are not a 'relevant child', or a child in need who is owed a duty under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.

Relevant child

A relevant child is a child aged 16 or 17 who:

• has been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14
• has been looked after at some point whilst aged 16 or 17 who is not currently being looked after (that is, an 'eligible child' under the Children Act 1989)

Priority need owing to vulnerability

You can also have a priority need if you or someone you live with is vulnerable for one or more of the following reasons:

• mental health problems, issues, or illnesses
• learning difficulties
• physical disabilities
• serious health conditions
• having spent time in care, prison, or the armed forces
• having been held in custody
• having been committed for contempt of court or any other kindred offence
• fleeing non-domestic violence
• old age
• any other special reason

If you do not have a priority need, then the council will offer advice and help you find your own housing.

Page last updated: 23 March