Emergency help

If you are homeless or think you might become homeless, it is vital to contact an organisation that gives housing advice as soon as possible so they can advise you on your current situation and all the possible options.

Who to contact first

• The first place you should contact is your local Northern Ireland Housing Executive office. To find full details of local offices use Search all services to find your nearest NIHE Housing Office.
• The Housing Rights Service provides advice to anyone with housing problems in Northern Ireland.

Search Homeless Northern Ireland for other organisations that can help you

Use Search all services to find all advice services giving Homeless advice or Housing advice, or a Day centre where you may be able to get advice and help. These may include NIHE offices, Citizens Advice Bureaux and other independent advice servivces.

Emergency hostels

There are some emergency hostels that accept self referrals from homeless people themselves. These hostels will only be able to help if they have a vacancy and the person applying is appropriate to the service they provide. Other hostels only accept referrals from agencies such as NIHE, Social Services or other agencies working with homeless people.

Help with related issues

If you need urgent help or advice on other issues related to homelessness try one of the helplines listed below:

• Childline - For children and young people in danger or distress.
• Drinkline - Advice and information for people with alcohol problems.
• FRANK - Helpline about drug or solvent problems.
• Northern Ireland Women's Aid - 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline - Helpline for women experiencing physical, emotional or sexual violence.
• Runaway Helpline - For children and young people who have run away or been forced to leave home.
• Samaritans - Emotional support for people in distress or despair.
• SANELINE - Support on mental health issues.