Information » Housing » Homelessness » Travellers

• Travellers (or gypsies) have the same rights as everyone else. They simply choose not to live in 'conventional' housing, but in caravans, tents or even tepees on land
• A traveller is defined as homeless if they have no where they can lawfully leave their caravan or means of accommodation, such as tent
• As with anyone, if a homeless traveller is a priority need (see How to avoid Homelessness section for criteria) and is not intentionally homeless, the local authority has a legal duty to find them suitable accommodation
• If the local authority receives a homeless application from a traveller, it must assess the traveller's aversion to conventional housing and see if it can facilitate their usual way of life by finding them a pitch. This should involve serious consideration of all available land, not just land owned by the local authority
• Remember, you are entitled to the same rights as everyone else so seek expert advice from the sources below if you are experiencing difficulties