Temporary accommodation if you're homeless

Getting temporary accommodation from the council

If you're homeless or likely to become homeless soon, the council has to help you. They must offer you somewhere temporary to stay when you need it. This is often called temporary accommodation or emergency accommodation.

The type of place the council can offer you depends on what's available. If the accommodation is unsuitable for you stay in, you can challenge it.

Do not refuse an offer of temporary accommodation. The council may not offer you somewhere else.

It's best to accept the offer and then challenge it if it's unsuitable.

When you can get temporary accommodation

You do not have to be living on the street to be homeless. You might be sleeping on a friend's sofa, or living somewhere unsafe.

The council should offer you temporary accommodation on the day you need it.

If you're not a British or Irish citizen, your rights to get homeless help might be different. Check our advice on immigration conditions for homeless help.

Asking the council for temporary accommodation

Contact the council’s homeless team and tell them:

you’re homeless or about to become homeless
you need temporary accommodation
who else lives with you
why and when you need temporary accommodation

What happens next

You'll need to make a homeless application with the homeless team. This often needs to be in person. Check our advice on making a homeless application.

Someone from the homeless team will ask you about your situation. Try not to leave out any important information.

Ask for an interpreter if English is not your first language or you use British Sign Language.

After they've looked into your situation, the council must give you a written decision that says what help you'll get. Check our advice on getting a homeless decision.

Getting an offer of temporary accommodation

The council may phone you or tell you in person at the office where to go. They must offer you accommodation the same day that you need it.

If you cannot take all of your belongings into the accommodation, the council should store them for you. Check our advice on storing your belongings and caring for your pets if you’re homeless.

What the council can offer

Temporary accommodation can be a:

hostel, B&B or hotel
furnished flat, bedsit or studio
domestic abuse shelter
room in supported accommodation
room in a shared flat or house of up to 5 people

You might have to share a living room or kitchen with other people.

If you or someone in your family has health, disability or support needs, ask the council for a housing needs assessment. They should take this into account when offering you temporary accommodation.

Temporary accommodation must meet basic repair standards. It should never be a risk to your health or safety.

Unsuitable accommodation

Hotels, hostels and B&Bs should only be used as emergency accommodation for up to 7 days. This is sometimes called unsuitable accommodation.

After 7 days, the council should offer you suitable accommodation.

There’s a shortage of suitable temporary accommodation, especially in big cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.

This means you might have to stay in unsuitable accommodation for longer than 7 days, but you can challenge this.

If the council refuses to help you

The council should offer you somewhere to stay if you need it.

They cannot refuse to give you temporary accommodation by saying:

there's nothing available
it's too expensive for you to afford
you do not have a local connection to the area

Contact a Shelter Scotland adviser. They can explain your rights and help you decide what to say to the council.

You can also check our advice on what to do if you’re homeless and the council refuses to help you.

Last updated: 29 January 2025