Housing problems, including not having a safe or secure place to live, can affect your health and your baby’s health during pregnancy.
If your housing situation is not secure, it may be harder to attend antenatal appointments or manage your health needs. This can increase the chance of an early birth, your baby having a low birth weight, or other pregnancy complications, and can also affect your nutrition and general wellbeing.
Housing difficulties can also affect how you feel emotionally. It is common to feel stressed, anxious, low in mood, or overwhelmed, and some people may also feel unsafe or worried about their situation.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and there are many reasons why people may find it hard to find or keep suitable housing, including money worries, discrimination, or difficulties accessing services.
Support is available. Your healthcare team can help you get advice and connect you with housing and other services to help keep you and your baby as safe and well as possible.
If you are experiencing homelessness:
Leeds Housing Options
Leeds City Centre Hub
Merrion House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 8LX
📞 Phone: 0113 222 4412
🕘 Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm
(Wednesdays open 9:30am–4pm)
🚨 Emergency (out of hours): 0113 378 8366
✉️ Email: [email protected]
If you need housing advice but are not homeless:
This may include advice and support around:
- Applying for council housing
- Mutual exchanges
- Council property repairs
- Finding private rentals
- Support with rent or council tax arrears
- Antisocial behaviour
You can attend a local Community Hub.
There are 26 Community Hubs across Leeds. If the Hub cannot help directly, staff will signpost to the appropriate service. They can also refer you to the Family Hub for ongoing individualised support.
The Together Leeds website has a housing section: Housing | Leeds.gov.uk and contains comprehensive information on all housing related topics and areas.
Online Housing Advice and Resources
Your community midwife can send you a private rental document from Leeds City Council which gives good advice on bonds and how to search for private rentals.
Detailed information and advice about all areas of homelessness and housing, including:
- Benefits
- Council housing
- Eviction
- Getting help from the council
- Housing benefit
- Mortgage arrears
- Private renting
- Repairs
- Tenancy deposits
🌐 Shelter – Housing and Homelessness Advice
Money Information Centre
Information about housing legalities, repairs, damp and mould, and homelessness.
🌐 Housing | Money Information Centre
Citizens Advice- Private Rentals
Guidance on preparing to rent from a private landlord.
🌐 Preparing to rent – Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice-Housing Support
🌐 Housing – Citizens Advice Leeds
📞 Phone: 0808 278 7878
Leeds Homes
Apply for social housing and manage applications online.
🌐 Leeds Homes
Other organisations for housing advice and support:
Engage Leeds
Support offered:
Individualised housing support for women to search for social or private housing, and tailored advice around housing needs. Waiting list can be 1-2 months depending on need.
Referral:
- You can self-refer, or
- Your midwife can complete a referral form online.
📞 Phone: 0113 380 7615
✉️ Email: [email protected]
Our Way Leeds
Who they support:
Care leavers or young people aged 16–25 who can no longer remain in their family home.
📞 Phone: 0113 391 8000
✉️ Email: [email protected]
📝 Self-referral form: Contact Us – Our Way Leeds
Please note, if you are an Asylum Seeker or Refugee the guidance differs.
- Housing enquiries for Asylum Seekers – please contact Migrant Help
📞 Phone Free Helpline: 0808 8010 503 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with interpreting services).
- Housing enquiries for Refugees – please contact PAFRAS:
📞 Phone: 0113 262 2163
✉️ Email: [email protected]
