Moving off the streets
There are options available if you’re sleeping on the streets. The council has a legal duty to help most homeless people find somewhere to live. Charities can find you a safe place to sleep too.
Get help if you have nowhere to stay
Day or night, contact the council if you have nowhere safe to stay.
You should be given accommodation on the day you need it.
The council must help if you are homeless or likely to become homeless in the next two months.
The council can help with:
temporary accommodation
storing your belongings and possibly pet care
permanent accommodation
general housing advice
Find a place to stay if the council cannot help
It’s usually easier to get temporary accommodation by making a homeless application to the council.
You might not be eligible for help because of your immigration status, or you might not want to engage with the council. In these cases, you might be able to get a place in a shelter or refuge without making a homeless application.
Night shelters
Some areas in Scotland have emergency night shelters. These can be ‘direct access’. This means you can turn up as soon as they open to check if they have any vacancies that day.
Other night shelters have entry requirements, such as only accepting referrals from homeless support agencies. Check with local shelters to find out if they have requirements.
Winter night shelters
During the coldest months or over the Christmas period, temporary cold weather shelters may become available.
Winter night shelters are generally free of charge and provide a bed and food. Most winter shelters are open in the evenings and overnight only.
What are shelters like?
Shelter accommodation varies from place to place. You might have your own room, you might share a room, or you might sleep in dormitories.
Some shelters have strict rules. You might have to leave during the day and be in by a certain time each night. Generally, shelters provide:
meals or cooking facilities
a laundry room
washing facilities
Accommodation for specific needs
Some shelters cater for the specific needs of:
young people
older people
women
people with mental health problems
people with alcohol or drug dependencies
Specialist accommodation shelters can have long waiting lists. You will probably need to be referred there by a social worker or homelessness organisation. To find out more, speak to a Shelter Scotland adviser.
Pet-friendly shelters
Most shelters and refuges do not accept pets. If you are trying to find somewhere to sleep overnight with a pet, you will need to check if the shelter accepts them first.
Find a dog-friendly hostel near you
If you cannot arrange or afford commercial kennelling, you can contact the Pet Fostering Service Scotland on 0344 811 9909. They might be able to look after your pet temporarily while you find somewhere you can both stay.
How long can I stay?
The length of your stay will vary from place to place. Some refuges allow you to stay night-to-night. Others allow you to stay as long as you are engaging with the support on offer.
Refuges
A refuge is a safe place for people experiencing abuse. They help people overcome the impacts of violence and abuse by offering practical and emotional support.
To get a place in a women’s refuge you can:
contact your nearest Women’s Aid
call the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234
There are currently no refuges for men experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland. However, you can still contact specialist support organisations to see what help is available in your area.
Contact the Men's Advice Line
Contact Abused Men in Scotland
You can also find support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse.
Paying for shelters and refuges
Most shelters provide a place to stay for free. However, refuges such as Women’s Aid charge rent.
Housing benefit can often help pay the rent. The refuge staff are there to provide advice and support with any applications.
In addition to rent, you might also be asked to pay a small contribution for your meals and other services, such as cleaning and laundry.
Check if you're entitled to benefits
Use the Turn2us benefit calculator
You’ll need information on your household’s:
income and savings
outgoings, such as rent
existing benefits and pensions
council tax bill
Get help managing your money
Services that can help with budgeting, applying for benefits, and debt:
What if I’m asked to leave?
People staying in shelters and refuges have very few occupancy rights. If you break the rules, you can be asked to leave without the need for a court order.
Other accommodation
It may be possible to access your own permanent or longer-term accommodation straight from the street.
This kind of accommodation varies from area to area. They include:
Housing First properties
immediately available to let council or housing association properties
private lets, which can be accessed through deposit guarantee schemes
Most local areas have charities that support homeless people wishing to be housed. They can also offer practical help with:
benefits
housing applications and referrals
access to digital equipment
arranging housing support
The council can provide you with housing advice to explore all the options available to you. This service also helps identify other issues, such as debt or mental health problems, so that the right support measures can be put in place.
When to contact Shelter Scotland
you’re asked to leave a shelter and have nowhere to go
you’re turned away from a homeless application
the council do not offer you temporary accommodation
you want to find local charities who can help house you
Last updated: 15 June 2021
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.