How Charities Can Help Homeless People in Wales

Homelessness Support & Post-Eviction Help Wales 3 min read · published March 31, 2026 Flag of Wales
Many tenants and renters in Wales turn to charities for practical help when they face eviction, rent arrears or unsafe housing. Local charities and national organisations can arrange emergency shelter referrals, provide casework to explain local authority duties, support you to complete homelessness applications, and help with benefit or discretionary payments. They also liaise with councils, legal advisers and landlords to try to prevent homelessness and to find safer longer-term housing. Charities can help collect evidence, accompany you to appointments, and sometimes offer short-term grants for deposits or moving costs. Below we explain common charity services, the official forms and legal routes used in Wales, and step-by-step actions tenants can take to access support while protecting their rights.

Ways charities support tenants in Wales

  • Arrange emergency shelter referrals and contact council housing teams for immediate help.
  • Provide casework and advocacy to represent tenants in conversations with landlords and councils.
  • Offer short-term financial support for rent, deposits or moving costs to prevent homelessness.
  • Help with moving logistics, locating accessible housing and paying removal costs.
  • Give practical tips and advice on documentation, budgeting and preparing for assessments.
Keep all rent receipts organized and stored safely.

Official forms and when they matter

  • Apply for homelessness assistance to your local authority—used when you are roofless or at imminent risk; an adviser can help you complete the council application in writing[3].
  • Form 6A (prescribed information for a Section 21) — a landlord may rely on this information when serving a no-fault notice; charities can check whether the notice was given correctly and explain options to tenants[4].
  • Claim form N5 (possession proceedings) — if a landlord begins court action, the N5 starts the possession claim; a tenant-facing example is gathering rental records and witness details to prepare a response[5].
  • The Housing Act 1988 and the Rent Act 1977 set legal rules about tenancies, possession and rent; charities use these laws to advise tenants about rights and timeframes when facing eviction or disrepair[1][2].
Detailed documentation increases your chances of success in disputes.
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The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) deals with many residential tenancy disputes in England and Wales; charities can advise on when to apply to the tribunal for rent, possession or disrepair matters and explain the process to tenants[6].

In most regions, tenants are entitled to basic habitability standards.

FAQ

Can charities stop an eviction?
Charities can help delay or prevent eviction by supporting applications to the council, challenging incorrect notices, negotiating with landlords, or helping you access emergency funding, but they cannot cancel a valid court order once it is enforced.
What should I bring to a homelessness appointment?
Bring ID, your tenancy agreement or rent records, any eviction or notice letters, bank statements and a list of household members; charities can help you gather and copy these before an appointment.
How quickly can I get emergency shelter?
If you are roofless and eligible, councils usually make an immediate decision about temporary accommodation; charities can speed referrals but timing depends on local vacancy and your assessment details.

How-To

  1. Contact your local council housing options or a charity for immediate advice and to request a homelessness assessment.
  2. Gather documents: ID, tenancy agreement, rent receipts, bank statements and any written notices; keep dated copies and photos.
  3. Submit the homelessness application with help from a charity or adviser and keep a dated copy for your records.
  4. Attend assessments or meetings, accept temporary accommodation where suitable, and follow up promptly on requests for further evidence.
Respond to legal notices within deadlines to avoid losing rights.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Housing Act 1988 - legislation.gov.uk
  2. [2] Rent Act 1977 - legislation.gov.uk
  3. [3] GOV.UK: Apply for homelessness help
  4. [4] GOV.UK: Evicting a tenant (Section 21 and Form 6A guidance)
  5. [5] GOV.UK: Claim form N5 for possession of property
  6. [6] First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) - GOV.UK

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Emma Clarke
Emma Clarke

UK Housing Rights Researcher, Tenant Rights UK

Emma covers private and social renting across England and Wales, with a strong grounding in the Renters (Reform) Act, Section 21 no-fault evictions, and deposit protection schemes. She has been writing about UK tenant rights and housing policy since 2017.

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