Housing help after separation in Northern Ireland

If separating has left you without a secure place to live in Northern Ireland, the Housing Executive must help if you're homeless or at risk, and Housing Rights offers free confidential advice on 028 9024 5640.

The Housing Executive and nidirect explain how to present as homeless and what happens next. You don't have to face this alone.

In Northern Ireland there is one door to knock on: the Housing Executive handles homelessness for the whole of NI, and its advice is free to everyone. You do not need to wait for a crisis. If you are likely to lose your home soon, you can apply now, and the definition of homeless is wider than most people think.

• If you are homeless or likely to become homeless, contact the Housing Executive; it will interview you, talk through your housing options, and may need to offer you somewhere to stay (nidirect.gov.uk).
• You count as about to become homeless if you will lose your home within 28 days, for example through a court ordered eviction or being asked to leave by friends or relatives (nihe.gov.uk).
• The assessment looks at four things: eligibility, homelessness, priority need and intentionality; households with dependent children or a pregnant member are among those treated as priority (nihe.gov.uk).
• You can be legally homeless even with somewhere to live, for example if you cannot stay there because you are worried about your personal safety, or the home is in very poor condition (nidirect.gov.uk).
• The official advice is to act quickly: the sooner you get help, the more likely you are to sort out debts, find somewhere suitable, or stop an eviction altogether (nidirect.gov.uk).

Checked August 2026 against nidirect.gov.uk and nihe.gov.uk.

If your living situation is uncertain, get advice early. You may have more options and rights than you expect.

• If you are at risk of losing your home, ask your local authority about homelessness help; they have duties towards families with children.
• You may have a right to stay in the family home for now, even if it is not in your name, so get advice before you leave.
• Check what help with housing costs you can claim.
• Free advice services can help with rent arrears, deposits and applying for social housing.