If you are a young parent thinking of leaving home or care, find out more about the different housing options that might be suitable for you and your children.

Can the council help me?

If you're homeless, your local council has to help you out. You don't have to be sleeping rough to be homeless - you can be staying temporarily with friends or family, or living in a hostel or refuge.

The council should also count you as homeless if you're living with your parents but they want you to leave, if your current home is seriously overcrowded, or if you want to be with your partner but there's nowhere you can both live together.

Being a young parent may prioritise your application for council accommodation, but you must have had the baby or have proof of your pregnancy to be considered for council accommodation.

What if the council won't help?

If the council is unable to help you, don't be put off. Call Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444 or visit a local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out exactly what you're entitled to.

Need somewhere to stay tonight?

If you've nowhere to stay, don't panic, there are people who can help. Shelter doesn't provide accommodation, but an adviser may be able to sort you out a place in a hostel or refuge. You can call the Shelter's free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444.

Under 18?

As a young mother you will normally be unable to obtain privately rented or council accommodation because you are too young to be granted a tenancy. You will probably have to go in to supported housing, where there will be a key worker there to support you and you will probably share with other young mums.

If you are pregnant or have a baby, and suitable accommodation cannot be found on the day you are made homeless, you may be placed in a B&B. However, this should only be for a maximum of 6 weeks. Housing normally tries to avoid putting young mums in B&B now.

You can be in temporary accommodation for anything up to 2 years which is normally a flat.

Under 16?

In addition to the rules for those under 18, you will require the permission of your parents or guardian to apply for accommodation from your local authority.

More...

Adding up to a lifetime has lots of easy to understand and interactive information about all the financial things you'll have to deal with in life. You can get information about getting a new home and all the different things you'll need to think about when choosing somewhere to live.