Organisations that can help when you’re homeless
Get help if you are homeless or struggling with issues that may lead to homelessness, such as bereavement, mental health issues, and relationship breakdowns.
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.
Homeless support
Aberdeen Cyrenians
Homelessness services and advice in the Aberdeen area.
Bethany Christian Trust
Accommodation, support and street work in the Edinburgh area.
Council housing departments
Each council must provide advice and information about homelessness and how to prevent it.
If you're applying to the council as homeless, you should put your name on the council housing waiting list at the same time. You will need to make a separate application to do this.
More information about council housing
Edinburgh Cyrenians
Homelessness services and advice in the Edinburgh area.
Edinburgh Street Support Network
Connecting people and organisations locally to tackle homelessness in Edinburgh.
www.streetsupport.net/edinburgh
Four Square/Edinburgh Furniture Initiative
Four Square (Scotland) is involved with the rights and needs of homeless people in Edinburgh and the Lothians and other areas of Scotland. Services include advice and advocacy, support and accommodation, and clothing and furniture supplies.
Glasgow Simon Community
Homelessness services and advice in the Glasgow area.
Salvation Army
Homelessness services including accommodation and soup runs.
Streetwork
Edinburgh-based outreach team working with young people. Offers crisis support, help with health issues, and education, training and employment opportunities.
Drug and alcohol support
Frank
A free 24-hour helpline offering straightforward information on the effects and risks of drug-taking.
Call: 0800 77 66 00
Scottish Drug Services
An online directory of drug treatment, rehabilitation and care services in Scotland.
Mental health support
Samaritans
Free confidential advice for people who feel depressed, desperate or suicidal.
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
SANE
Practical information and support for people who are affected by depression or any other mental health issue.
Abuse survivors and victim support
Rape Crisis
Advice and help for women who have undergone sexual abuse. Contact details for local centres are provided online.
Refuge
Safe houses for women and children escaping domestic violence and abuse.
Together with Women's Aid, Refuge runs the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline.
Call: 0808 2000 247
Scottish Women's Aid
Support, information and a safe place to stay for women suffering from domestic abuse. The website contains contact details for your nearest women's aid group.
Survivors UK
Advice and help for men who have suffered from sexual abuse and rape.
Call: 0845 122 1201
Victim Support Scotland
Practical help and emotional support for victims of crime.
Call: 0800 160 1985
Young people’s support
ChildLine
Free, confidential 24-hour helpline offering comfort, advice and practical help to all children and young people.
Call: 0800 1111
The Foyer Federation
Information on foyer accommodation for young people across the UK.
YMCA Scotland
Support for young people under 25 across a range of issues, including housing, health and family.
Other support services
Citizens Advice Scotland
Free and confidential advice on issues including housing and benefits.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Advice, practical help and a sympathetic ear for anyone affected by death.
Call: 0808 802 6161
Family Planning Association
Confidential advice and emergency help on contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Call: 0845 122 8690
Internet access and printing
Cheap internet access and printing are offered by some public libraries and internet cafes.
Law centres
Free legal advice and representation for issues including housing and benefits, debt, discrimination and immigration law.
Missing People
A free, confidential 24-hour helpline where advisers can pass on a message without telling anyone where you are.
Call: 116 000
Email: 116000@missingpeople.org.uk
Royal British Legion
Financial, social and emotional support to those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces and their dependents.
Scottish Refugee Council
Advice for asylum seekers and refugees, including a list of day centres, soup runs and drop-in centres.
www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk
Social work
The council's social work department has duties to assist some people in certain circumstances. This includes:
people under the age of 18 in need
people who have been looked after by the local authority
people who have children in need living with them
people who are elderly, physically ill or have mental health problems, or are disabled
The police
The police offer help and advice if you're in danger or facing harassment and abuse. Contact the police for non-emergencies on 101.
Last updated: 20 July 2021
Housing laws differ between Scotland and England.
This content applies to Scotland only.