Many young people stay with friends or people they don’t really know because they have no permanent place to live. You might be sleeping on people’s sofas or floors, moving around from house to house or staying with people who are using or exploiting you. This is still homelessness.

If you think you’ll be kicked out in the next 56 days, the council should class you as being ‘threatened with homelessness’. You can approach the council for help and advice before you have to move out of the place you are currently sleeping in.

You can also get advice from Shelter's helpline – call 0808 800 4444 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm at weekends). They can advise you of your housing rights and options local to you. 

If you are a woman fleeing domestic violence you can contact the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline – call 0808 2000 247. 

If you’re under 18, and are being kicked out or experiencing violence, abuse or threats where you are living you should contact children’s services at your local council as soon as you can. If you are at school or college, you should speak to a teacher or trusted adult who can support you with this or speak up for you on your behalf.

You can also get confidential support from Childline on 0800 1111 and at www.childline.org.uk.