Applying as homeless to more than one council

If you have an open homeless application with one council, but you'd prefer to live in a different council area, you can either:

• apply to another council, but keep your existing application open

• ask the council to transfer your application – this is called a section 38 referral

Making a new application to a different council

You can make homeless applications to different councils at the same time.

You do not need to close an existing homeless application to apply to a new council area. If a council says you have to do this, tell them this is not correct.

Opening multiple applications can be difficult because each council has their own processes. You'll usually need to go to their offices in person.

To avoid unnecessary travel and paperwork, only apply to a council where you want to live.

If you used to have an application elsewhere

If you’ve had a homeless application open before in a different council, the new council has to make its own decision based on your current circumstances.

They cannot refuse to help you because of a different council's decision.

Getting a transfer to another council

If you’ve made a homeless application but decide you want to live in a different council, your application can be transferred. This is called a section 38 referral.

The new council must agree to accept the referral, unless this would be unreasonable. They can:

• offer you temporary accommodation and agree to offer permanent accommodation

• agree to find a permanent offer, but tell the original council to provide temporary accommodation until then

They should not make a new decision on your homeless application. If you were given an unintentionally homeless decision by the first council, this should not be changed.

Local connection

Councils should not refer you to another council in Scotland unless you agree to it. 

In some cases they can refer you to a council in England or Wales if you have a local connection there. Check our advice on local connection when you’re homeless.

If you’re offered permanent accommodation

Tell all the councils you have a homeless application with if you accept an offer of permanent accommodation. Your other applications will be closed as you are no longer homeless.