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Test One: Is the Applicant Homeless?<\/h3>\n
This test aims to see whether a person is actually homeless. To be categorised as homeless, a person must satisfy one of the following criteria:<\/p>\n
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- They have no accommodation that\u2019s available and reasonable for them to live in.<\/li>\n
- They have accommodation, but it\u2019s not reasonable for them to enter it. For example, if entering the building would put them at risk of violence.<\/li>\n
- They cannot secure entry into their accommodation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A person is also considered homeless if they\u2019re likely to become homeless in the next 28 days. This is known as \u2018threatened with homelessness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
![\"homeless](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/homeless-2-krak.jpg\")
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\nTest Two: Is the Applicant Eligible for Assistance?<\/h3>\n
An applicant must be eligible for housing to be classed as homeless. Some people who are ineligible for housing include:<\/p>\n
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- Asylum seekers.<\/li>\n
- People who plan to shortly leave the country.<\/li>\n
- People who have returned from a long period of living abroad.<\/li>\n
- Those who have \u2018no recourse to public funds\u2019 stamped on their passports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
People are also ineligible for housing if they fail to satisfy the\u00a0Habitual Residence Test (HRT). The HRT is a set of conditions that you must meet if you\u2019re an EEA national and want to claim particular means-tested benefits.<\/p>\n
\nTest Three: Is the Applicant in \u2018Priority Need\u2019?<\/h3>\n
Homeless applicants are only entitled to housing assistance if they\u2019re in \u2018priority need\u2019. This means that you\u2019re somebody who requires housing urgently, and your case must be a priority.<\/p>\n
Those considered a ‘priority need’ are:<\/p>\n
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- Women who are pregnant.<\/li>\n
- People who have dependent children.<\/li>\n
- Those who are homeless due to a disaster, such as a flood or a fire.<\/li>\n
- People between the ages of 18 and 20 who\u2019ve spent time in care.<\/li>\n
- Those who are vulnerable due to: old age, illness, mental health problems, or physical disability.<\/li>\n
- People who are at risk of sexual exploitation, financial exploitation, or violence, including domestic and racial.<\/li>\n
- Those who are vulnerable due to time spent in hospital, prison, or the armed forces. People over 21 who\u2019ve spent time in care are also considered vulnerable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Defining \u2018vulnerable\u2019 can be a grey area and each application is decided on a case by case basis.<\/p>\n
![\"vulnerable](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/homeless-boy-krak.jpg\")
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\nTest Four: Intention<\/h3>\n
This test looks at whether the applicant is intentionally homeless. They may be considered intentionally homeless if they\u2019ve deliberately engaged in something that made them lose their home.<\/p>\n
For example, if somebody voluntarily left their accommodation without a good cause, or if they were evicted because they didn\u2019t pay their rent, the council may consider them as being intentionally homeless.<\/p>\n
Similar to the definition of vulnerability, the definition of intentional homelessness is complex. Every council must look at each case individually and take into account all circumstances.<\/p>\n
\nTest Five: Does the Applicant Have a Local Connection?<\/h3>\n
The final of the 5 tests of homelessness involves determining whether the homeless person has a local connection in the area in which they\u2019re homeless. This includes if they have family in the area or if they\u2019ve worked there in the past.<\/p>\n
If the applicant doesn\u2019t have a local connection, the council may move them to an area in which they do.<\/p>\n
However, if a person is homeless because they\u2019re fleeing violence, it\u2019s not necessary to move them to an area with a local connection.<\/p>\n
![\"homeless](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/homeless-woman-krak.jpg\")
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\nWhat to Read Next:<\/h3>\n