Organisations that can help when you’re homeless
The council must help you if you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Contact your local council’s homeless team.
There are a range of other organisations that can offer support.
Homeless support
Across Scotland
Bethany Christian Trust
They can help you with services to prevent becoming homeless, crisis intervention, and housing and support if you’re currently homeless.
Check Bethany Christian Trust’s services.
Salvation Army
They offer homeless services across Scotland, including accommodation and soup runs.
Glasgow and Edinburgh
Street Support Edinburgh and Glasgow
You can find local homeless support services by using Street Support Network’s Edinburgh and Glasgow location pages.
Choose a Street Support Network location.
Simon Community Scotland
You can call their 24 hour helpline for people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh and Glasgow, or go to a drop-in hub in either city.
Contact the Simon Community in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Glasgow Asylum Destitution Action Network
If your asylum application is refused or you have no recourse to public funds, they have a list of local organisations you can go to for support with housing, food, healthcare and other issues.
Check the Glasgow Asylum Destitution Action Network's list of resources.
Crisis Skylight Edinburgh
Crisis could offer you support if you're homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen Cyrenians
You can access their homelessness services and advice in the Aberdeen area.
Aberdeen Foyer
The Foyer network may be able to help you if you’re aged 16 to 25 and you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Aberdeen.
Other support
Asylum and refugee support
Scottish Refugee Council
If you’re an asylum seeker or refugee, the Scottish Refugee Council can offer advice and resources such as day centres, soup runs, and drop-in centres.
Contact the Scottish Refugee Council.
Glasgow Asylum Destitution Action Network
If your asylum application is refused or you have no recourse to public funds, they have a list of local organisations you can go to for support with housing, food, healthcare and other issues.
Check the Glasgow Asylum Destitution Action Network's list of resources.
Abuse survivors and victim support
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
A 24-hour freephone helpline offering confidential help and advice if you're experiencing domestic abuse or violence.
Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Scottish Women's Aid
If you’re a woman experiencing domestic abuse, get support, information and a safe place to stay with Scottish Women’s Aid.
Find your nearest Women’s Aid Group.
Refuge
You can get support and emergency accommodation from Refuge if you are a woman or child escaping domestic abuse and violence.
Rape Crisis Scotland
They can give you advice and help if you’re a survivor of sexual abuse. Call their helpline or visit one of their 17 local Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland.
Survivors UK
Advice and help for men, boys, and non-binary people who have suffered from sexual abuse and rape.
Victim Support Scotland
If you’re a victim of crime, you can get practical help and emotional support by contacting Victim Support Scotland’s helpline.
Contact Victim Support Scotland.
FearFree
If you identify as a man or you're from the LGBTQ+ community and you're suffering from domestic abuse, FearFree offers a range of support.
Shakti Women's Aid
If you're a black or minority ethnic woman who is experiencing domestic abuse, Shakti Women's Aid can offer emergency support and advice.
Support for young people
Aberdeen Foyer
The Foyer network may be able to help you if you’re aged 16 to 25 and you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Aberdeen.
Childline
Childline runs a free, confidential 24-hour helpline offering comfort, advice and practical help to all children and young people.
Rock Trust
If you’re a young person who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, get advice and support from Rock Trust, as well as access to specialist services.
Drug and alcohol support
FRANK
FRANK has a 24-hour telephone helpline and an online chat 2pm to 7pm each day, offering straightforward information and advice on drugs.
Support for people affected by drugs
Information and advice on drug treatment, rehabilitation and care services in Scotland.
Mental health support
Samaritans
Get free, confidential advice if you’re feeling depressed, desperate or suicidal.
SANE
If you’re affected by depression or any other mental health issue, SANE offers practical information and support.
Veterans support
Scottish Veterans Residences
If you’re a veteran of the UK armed forces and you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness, they offer accommodation and support.
Make an enquiry with Scottish Veterans Residences.
Poppy Scotland
Another charity for armed forces veterans and those currently serving, Poppy Scotland can provide you with financial, social and emotional support.
Legal support
You can contact a law centre for cheaper or free legal help, or use legal aid to pay for a solicitor.
To find legal help, check our advice on:
Financial support
There are a number of national charities you can contact for money and debt support and advice.
Contact the National Debtline.
Other support services
Cruse Bereavement Care
Get advice, practical help and emotional support if you have been affected by someone’s death.
Contact Cruse Bereavement Care.
Family Planning Association
You can access confidential advice and emergency help with contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Contact Family Planning Association.
Missing People
Use this free, confidential 24-hour helpline where advisers can pass on a message without telling anyone where you are.
Last updated: 15 January 2025
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.