Housing for migrants and refugees

If you've just arrived in Brighton & Hove, find a home to rent or find out if you can get help paying rent.

Migrant help

If you have recently received refugee status and need to secure future accommodation, contact Migrant Help. They can advise on how to claim benefits and tell you about any further support that may be available. 

Find out how to contact Migrant Help and about asylum services on the Migrant Help website.

Find privately rented properties 

How to find a home to rent

The private rental sector in Brighton & Hove is a very competitive market.

The time it will take to find a suitable property will depend on property size, area and the time of year.

Things like the start of the academic year can mean many more people are looking for private rented accommodation.  

Help with paying rent 

We use the Local Housing Allowance  to work out Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element. 

Local housing allowance is not a separate benefit. It affects how much help you get with rent.  

Find more information on our weekly Housing Benefit rates for private tenants page. 

If you receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a discretionary payment to help pay your rent in advance before you move. 

Help with deposits 

We can help with housing deposits through the Deposit Guarantee Scheme. We take into account the homeless prevention duty and your housing plan. 

If you have found accommodation by yourself, we can speak with the landlord to negotiate a Deposit Guarantee Scheme.  

We cannot act as a guarantor.  

If you receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you can apply for a discretionary payment to help pay your rent in advance before you move. 

Help if you’re at risk of losing your home 

Get help if you're worried about losing your home or are homeless

We can support you with any problems making it difficult to stay in your home. 

We can:

  • provide action to prevent you from becoming homeless 
  • help to keep or secure accommodation 
  • offer a personalised housing plan

If homelessness is possible within 56 days, we’ll work with you to develop a personal housing plan.   

We will aim to help continue your current accommodation where possible. 

We can speak with your hosts or accommodation provider to try and resolve issues. If this is not possible, we will work with you to find a sustainable accommodation option.   

The Direct Lets service 

If a Homelessness Prevention Officer has referred you to our Direct Lets team, they will help you find accommodation.