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Types of Accommodation on Homeless UK

There are three broad types of hostel or housing project for single homeless people listed on the Quick accommodation search

Different projects accept people with different support needs – see the “Target group” on each individual hostel entry. They also deal differently with applications to stay in them. Some accept direct applications from the person who wants to stay (“self referrals”), some take referrals from any agency and some only take referrals from specific agencies such as the local Housing Department or outreach teams working with rough sleepers – see “Referral agencies” on each individual hostel entry.

The meanings of the different types of accommodation and the sort of projects they include are explained below.

Emergency

These projects are for people who urgently need accommodation. This type of accommodation includes:

  • Direct access - Short term emergency hostels for homeless people.
  • Nightstops - Very short term accommodation (3-5 nights) for young people, in the homes of volunteer hosts.
  • Domestic violence - Emergency accommodation for women escaping domestic violence. Information is only given about these projects in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland. Phone the national domestic violence helplines for information on other projects (England 0808 2000 247, Scotland 0800 027 1234, Wales 0808 80 10 800, Northern Ireland 0800 917 1414).

Second stage

Projects for homeless people (often for those moving on from emergency accommodation). These projects are for people with different levels of support needs. This type of accommodation includes:

  • Foyers – Accommodation with support around employment and training for young people.
  • Housing schemes – Dispersed accommodation in shared houses and self contained flats for people with fairly good independent living skills.
  • Low support - For homeless people who only need a low level of support with daily living skills.
  • Medium support - For homeless people who need a medium level of support with daily living skills.
  • Supportive - For homeless people who need a high level of support and are unable to live independently.

Specialist

For people with specific support needs as well as housing needs. This type of accommodation includes:

  • Alcohol and drugs - Information is only given about these projects in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland.
  • Ex-offenders - Information is only given about these projects in London and Birmingham.
  • Leaving care - Information is only given about these projects in Birmingham.
  • Mental health - Information is only given about these projects in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
  • Single parents - Information is only given about these projects in Birmingham and Northern Ireland.
  • Working people - For people who are in employment and have very low or no support needs. Information is only given about these projects in London.