Emergency help? Temp housing for expats?

Hi there,

Is there emergency housing for expats who've just arrived? Does anyone know?

My husband and I are currently housing a fellow forum member in our one bedroom flat. But we do not have the resources to continue until she finds a job and space of her own.

Seeing that she's an EU passport holder and eligible to work in the UK, is she also eligible for social benefits? Any suggestions as to what to do would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much in advance.

Shelter - Eligibility for housing and benefits (In ENGLAND)

What are my rights when I first arrive?
All EEA/EU nationals have an automatic right to live in the UK for three months after their arrival.
If you are not working during these three months, you will not be eligible to:

apply to go on the council's waiting list for social housing
get help from the council if you become homeless
claim social security benefits.

Not good. Has she worked at all? I'm not sure if she could qualify for housing at the YMCA or another hostel. Might be worth giving Shelter a call to see if they can suggest any other options (0808 800 4444).

If she can convince the Jobcentre that she is "habitually resident", which usually involves between one and three months of physical residence, then she can get income-based jobseekers' allowance.  If she gets JSA(ib), then she is automatically eligible for housing benefit.  So it would be in her best interest to go to the Jobcentre and claim as soon as possible, and to continue claiming every week until it gets accepted.

It might help if she can show documentation that she has uprooted her life in the US to make the UK her permanent home, since that's one of the factors in determining habitual residence.  But, since there is no concrete definition, just some court decisions, it will really be up to the person deciding her claim.

Or, if she takes any little job, she becomes a worker under EU law, which makes her eligible for housing benefit if her income is below the threshold.  So even if she can work 10 hours a week at Starbucks, it should be enough to get her into a place.

(see http://www.housing-rights.info/02_2_4_HB_eligibility.html#EEA-nationals, specifically the parts about workers and JSA(ib) recipients being eligible)

I don't have any advice or info to add, I just wanted to say that it's very kind of you guys to help out someone in a big way. I hope your friend finds what she needs to get on her feet Have you found a solution yet?