If you’re a young person facing homelessness, or worried you might soon become homeless, you are not on your own. You have rights, and a number of support avenues.
Scotland has some of the strongest homelessness legislation in the UK and as a young person aged 16 to 25, the law is on your side. This page explains what those rights are, what to expect if you need emergency accommodation, and how Rock Trust can support you through the process.
Am I homeless?
A lot of people assume that being homeless means ‘sleeping rough’, but the reality is that homelessness takes many shapes and forms. Under Scottish law, you’re legally considered homeless, or at risk of homelessness, if:
- You have nowhere safe to stay tonight
- You’ve been asked to leave your family home and have nowhere to go
- You’re staying on someone’s sofa or floor temporarily (sometimes called ‘sofa surfing’)
- You’re living somewhere that isn’t safe or suitable. For example, due to overcrowding, abuse, or poor conditions
- You’re at serious risk of losing your home in the near future
Many young people don’t realise that sofa surfing or being asked to leave your family home counts. If any of the above apply to you, you may be entitled to help from your local council.
If you're in crisis right now and are in need of emergency or temporary accommodation, contact your local council's housing team as soon as you can. You can find their contact details are on our Get Help page
How to make a homeless application
If you think you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you have the right to make a homelessness application to your local council. This is one of the most important steps you can take.
Here’s what happens:
1. Contact your local council’s housing team
You can do this in person, by phone, or in some areas online. You don’t need an appointment. If it’s an emergency outside office hours, most councils have an out-of-hours number. You’ll find these on our Get Help page.
2. Tell them your situation
The council has a legal duty to assess your situation. You don’t need to have all the answers or fill in complicated forms straight away. Just explain what’s happening. If English isn’t your first language, the council must provide information in a language you understand.
3. You’ll receive an ‘interim duty decision’
While the council assesses your application, they must provide you with emergency accommodation if they believe you may be homeless and in priority need. You don’t have to wait for the full decision to get a roof over your head.
4. You’ll receive a full decision
The council will decide whether you’re legally homeless and, if so, what duty they have to help you. If you’re unhappy with any decision, you have the right to request a review.
What is emergency accommodation?
Emergency accommodation is temporary housing provided by the council when you make a homeless application and have nowhere safe to stay. It’s offered while the council carries out its full assessment of your situation.
Emergency accommodation can include:
- Bed and breakfast (B&B) or hotel accommodation
- Hostel accommodation
- Temporary flats or bedsits provided by the council or a housing association
- Community hosting arrangements, where you stay with a trained volunteer host in their home
The type of accommodation offered will depend on what’s available in your area. You have the right to accommodation that is suitable for your needs, safe and in reasonable condition, and you should be told what to expect next.
If you don’t feel safe in the accommodation you’ve been offered, or you think it’s unsuitable, tell the council and ask for a review.
What is temporary accommodation?
Temporary accommodation is housing provided by the council after your homeless application has been assessed and your homelessness has been confirmed. It bridges the gap between emergency accommodation and a longer-term housing solution.
Temporary accommodation can take different forms: it could be council flats, housing association properties, B&Bs, or supported accommodation like the services Rock Trust provides [internal link?].
How long can the council keep me in temporary accommodation?
This is one of the most common questions young people have.
In Scotland, there is no fixed legal maximum for how long you can be kept in temporary accommodation, and how long you stay depends on how quickly a longer-term housing option becomes available. For some young people this is a matter of weeks; for others it can be considerably longer. But you are entitled to stay in temporary accommodation until the council is able to find you a permanent solution.
During this time, the council must review your case regularly, provide you with a housing support plan, keep your accommodation safe and suitable, and keep you informed about progress. If you feel stuck or haven’t heard anything in a while, contact us – we can help you understand what to ask for.
Housing Support
We help young people access a home and maintain it, so you can have the security and stability you need to focus on your future.
What happens after temporary accommodation?
For most young people, the goal is to move into settled, long-term accommodation. What that looks like depends on your circumstances. It might be a social housing tenancy, a private rented flat, or a supported tenancy with an organisation like Rock Trust.
Some things that can help you move forward:
Housing support
A housing support worker can help you prepare for independent living, understand your rights as a tenant, manage a tenancy, and navigate the housing system. Ask your council or get in touch with Rock Trust.
Rent Deposit Scheme
If you’re moving into private rented accommodation, you’ll usually need a deposit. If you can’t afford this upfront, ask your council about their Rent Deposit or Rent Bond Scheme. We can help you find your way around the application process.
Universal Credit housing element
If you’re on a low income, you may be able to get help towards your rent through Universal Credit. This is a complex area and it’s worth getting advice before you apply. Our team can point you in the right direction.
Rock Trust Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In Scotland, you can make a homeless application to your local council from the age of 16. The council has a duty to assess your situation and, if you’re found to be homeless and in priority need, to provide accommodation.
Leaving home voluntarily doesn’t automatically mean you won’t get help, but it can affect how your application is assessed. It’s worth getting advice before you leave your home if at all possible. Contact us and we can help you understand your options.
Yes. If you have no settled, safe place to stay and are moving between friends or family temporarily, you’re likely to be considered homeless under Scottish law. You have the right to make an application to the council.
No. The Scottish Government got rid of the requirement for a ‘local connection’ in 2022, meaning you can apply for homelessness in any local authority area. Be aware, though, that availability in larger urban areas such as Glasgow and Edinburgh tends to be tighter, and waiting lists are long.
The council cannot refuse to accept your application. However, after assessing it, they may decide they don’t have a full housing duty towards you. If this happens, you have the right to request a review of that decision.
There’s no set time limit, and it varies depending on where you live and what housing is available. Your council should keep you informed and review your case regularly. If you feel stuck, our team can help you understand your options.
Tell the council immediately and ask for your accommodation to be reviewed. If you’re not getting a response, contact Rock Trust. We can help you navigate the process.
Yes. Care leavers have additional protections in law under The Promise. The local authority and social work have specific duties towards you beyond the standard homeless application process. Contact Rock Trust or speak to your social worker for advice specific to your situation.