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Finding Accommodation

Thinking about leaving home?

If you’re thinking about moving out of your family home, you’re not expected to do everything on your own straight away.

This page explains your options, what support is available in Hampshire, and what to do next.

⭐ Top tips when thinking about housing

Plan ahead

  • Moving out can take time
  • Start planning early
  • You might need to build independence skills first

Think about the whole picture when looking at housing options

A home is not just a building. Think about:

  • where it is
  • who you live with
  • how safe and comfortable it feels

Good housing in the right community can help you feel secure and more independent

Location matters

Think about:

  • being near family or friends
  • transport and shops
  • feeling part of the community

Be involved in decisions

  • Your views matter
  • You should be involved in choosing where you live and who supports you

Take a look at the options the young people is this video chose.

  • Talk to your social worker or parent or carers
  • Ask for a social care assessment if you don’t have a social worker
  • Think about what support you need
  • Join the housing register if you would like social housing
  • Download the guide below to explore your options

Where can I live? A simple guide for young people 

The guide explains each option in a simple, easy-to-understand way, highlighting things that are good to know as well as important points to consider. It also provides information about where to get help, how housing assessments work, and what support may be available if you need help to live independently.

There is no pressure to make decisions straight away. The activities and checklists included in this resource are designed to help you think about what is important to you, what support you might need, and what your next steps could be. Whether you are ready to move out soon or are just starting to explore your options, this guide can help you begin planning for the future.

The aim is to help you feel informed, confident, and supported so that you can make choices about housing that are safe, right for your needs, and help you achieve greater independence.

Download Where can I live? A simple guide for young people 

  • Talk to your social worker or parent or carers
  • Ask for a social care assessment if you don’t have a social worker
  • Think about what support you need
  • Join the housing register if you would like social housing
  • Download the guide below to explore your options

Where can I live? A simple guide for young people 

The guide explains each option in a simple, easy-to-understand way, highlighting things that are good to know as well as important points to consider. It also provides information about where to get help, how housing assessments work, and what support may be available if you need help to live independently.

There is no pressure to make decisions straight away. The activities and checklists included in this resource are designed to help you think about what is important to you, what support you might need, and what your next steps could be. Whether you are ready to move out soon or are just starting to explore your options, this guide can help you begin planning for the future.

The aim is to help you feel informed, confident, and supported so that you can make choices about housing that are safe, right for your needs, and help you achieve greater independence.

Download Where can I live? A simple guide for young people 

If you think you need support to live independently, the first step is usually a social care assessment.

This looks at:

  • what you can do on your own
  • what support you need
  • what type of housing would suit you

👉 This is important because:

  • it helps you access supported living or Shared Lives
  • it can lead to a care and support plan
  • it may help with funding

If you think you need support to live independently, the first step is usually a social care assessment.

This looks at:

  • what you can do on your own
  • what support you need
  • what type of housing would suit you

👉 This is important because:

  • it helps you access supported living or Shared Lives
  • it can lead to a care and support plan
  • it may help with funding

Anyone requiring advice with a housing related problem may wish to contact their local housing authority – contact details for your local district council can be found by adding your postcode within this link: 

Search for your local council here.

Or you may find your district or borough council housing pages listed below:

Borough Councils:

District Councils:

Anyone requiring advice with a housing related problem may wish to contact their local housing authority – contact details for your local district council can be found by adding your postcode within this link: 

Search for your local council here.

Or you may find your district or borough council housing pages listed below:

Borough Councils:

District Councils:

What is Social housing?

  • You rent a home from the council or a housing provider
  • You may live on your own
  • You might still get visiting support

👉 Important to remember:

  • there is usually a waiting list
  • there aren't enough social housing for all the people who need it

Your local council has important jobs when it comes to housing. By law, they must:

  • Give free housing advice to anyone who lives in their area.
  • Help people who are homeless.
  • Make sure homes are safe and meet health standards.
  • Provide grants for home adaptations for disabled people (including small changes like handrails).
  • Decide who gets council or housing association homes.

🏠 How do I apply for social housing?

In Hampshire, you apply through Hampshire Home Choice:

👉 Apply via Hampshire Home Choice

What you need to do:

  1. Create an account
  2. Fill in the housing application form
  3. Upload documents (e.g. ID, proof of address)
  4. Bid for available properties
  • You usually need to join a waiting list
  • You are not guaranteed a property
  • If you don’t complete your application within 28 days, you may need to start again

Your social worker or a parent or carer can help you make the application.

What is Social housing?

  • You rent a home from the council or a housing provider
  • You may live on your own
  • You might still get visiting support

👉 Important to remember:

  • there is usually a waiting list
  • there aren't enough social housing for all the people who need it

Your local council has important jobs when it comes to housing. By law, they must:

  • Give free housing advice to anyone who lives in their area.
  • Help people who are homeless.
  • Make sure homes are safe and meet health standards.
  • Provide grants for home adaptations for disabled people (including small changes like handrails).
  • Decide who gets council or housing association homes.

🏠 How do I apply for social housing?

In Hampshire, you apply through Hampshire Home Choice:

👉 Apply via Hampshire Home Choice

What you need to do:

  1. Create an account
  2. Fill in the housing application form
  3. Upload documents (e.g. ID, proof of address)
  4. Bid for available properties
  • You usually need to join a waiting list
  • You are not guaranteed a property
  • If you don’t complete your application within 28 days, you may need to start again

Your social worker or a parent or carer can help you make the application.

Supported Housing

  • These homes are for people who need support, like help with daily life.
  • The help can be given in different ways by different people.
  • The homes can be:
    • Self-contained (your own flat)
    • Shared (you live with other people)

Some homes are called group living. This is like sharing a big house with a few people who have similar needs. These are mostly for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Most group living homes are run by charities or housing associations.

If you want to know more, talk to your local Adult Services office or visit the Supporting People website.

Search for Supported Living in your area:

Find supported living services - NHS

Our directory

Please go to Shelter for further advice.  

Supported Housing

  • These homes are for people who need support, like help with daily life.
  • The help can be given in different ways by different people.
  • The homes can be:
    • Self-contained (your own flat)
    • Shared (you live with other people)

Some homes are called group living. This is like sharing a big house with a few people who have similar needs. These are mostly for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Most group living homes are run by charities or housing associations.

If you want to know more, talk to your local Adult Services office or visit the Supporting People website.

Search for Supported Living in your area:

Find supported living services - NHS

Our directory

Please go to Shelter for further advice.  

With Shared Lives, you:

  • Live with a trained carer and their family
  • Become part of their household and community
  • Support can be short-term or long-term

👉 This can help you build independence in a supportive home environment

Meet some Shared Lives cares in this video:

 

In Hampshire, Shared Lives:

  • supports people over 18 to live as independently as possible
  • offers flexible support based on your needs

More information on Shared lives

With Shared Lives, you:

  • Live with a trained carer and their family
  • Become part of their household and community
  • Support can be short-term or long-term

👉 This can help you build independence in a supportive home environment

Meet some Shared Lives cares in this video:

 

In Hampshire, Shared Lives:

  • supports people over 18 to live as independently as possible
  • offers flexible support based on your needs

More information on Shared lives

Sometimes people become homeless and need somewhere safe to stay quickly. In these situations, your local district or borough council may be able to give you temporary accommodation.

Temporary accommodation is emergency housing. It is used to stop someone from having nowhere to live.

Who can get temporary accommodation?

The council must have a good reason to believe that you are:

  • Eligible (you are allowed to get help under the law)
  • Homeless (you have nowhere safe to stay)
  • In priority need (you need extra help because of your situation)

If these three things apply, the council may give you emergency temporary accommodation while they look into your case.

Who can get ongoing temporary accommodation?

For the council to continue providing temporary accommodation after the first emergency help, they must decide that you are:

  • Eligible
  • Homeless
  • In priority need
  • Not intentionally homeless
    (this means you did not lose your home on purpose)

Local connection

The council may also look at whether you have a local connection to the area.

This could mean:

  • You live there
  • You work there
  • You have close family there
  • You have lived there in the past

If you do not have a local connection, the council might send your case to a different council in an area where you do have a connection. That council would then be responsible for providing accommodation.

Need more help?

To get more information about temporary accommodation or how to make a homelessness application, speak to your local district or borough council. They can explain the process and help you understand your next steps.

Sometimes people become homeless and need somewhere safe to stay quickly. In these situations, your local district or borough council may be able to give you temporary accommodation.

Temporary accommodation is emergency housing. It is used to stop someone from having nowhere to live.

Who can get temporary accommodation?

The council must have a good reason to believe that you are:

  • Eligible (you are allowed to get help under the law)
  • Homeless (you have nowhere safe to stay)
  • In priority need (you need extra help because of your situation)

If these three things apply, the council may give you emergency temporary accommodation while they look into your case.

Who can get ongoing temporary accommodation?

For the council to continue providing temporary accommodation after the first emergency help, they must decide that you are:

  • Eligible
  • Homeless
  • In priority need
  • Not intentionally homeless
    (this means you did not lose your home on purpose)

Local connection

The council may also look at whether you have a local connection to the area.

This could mean:

  • You live there
  • You work there
  • You have close family there
  • You have lived there in the past

If you do not have a local connection, the council might send your case to a different council in an area where you do have a connection. That council would then be responsible for providing accommodation.

Need more help?

To get more information about temporary accommodation or how to make a homelessness application, speak to your local district or borough council. They can explain the process and help you understand your next steps.

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