What is priority need?
Homeless people may be in priority need if:
- they (or their partner) are pregnant
- they have dependant children who live with them or who would reasonably be expected to live with them
- they have lost their home because of an emergency – such as fire or flood
- they are aged 16 or 17
- they are aged 18 –20 and
- at risk of sexual or financial exploitation
- at risk of involvement in the serious misuse of alcohol or drugs
- were previously looked after, at school leaving age or later, by the local authority
- they are vulnerable – for reasons such as old age, youth, ill-health or disability, having had a miscarraige or termination, having been discharged from hospital, prison or the armed forces, or for other special reasons.
- they run the risk of domestic abuse
- they are at risk of violence or harassment because of their religion, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnicity or national origin