I have just found out my brother?s wife is pregnant with their 4th
child. They live in Japan, but are all either English or dual
nationality. They moved to Japan about 1.5 years ago, straight after
the 3rd child was born, but things have not worked out.

When his current contract finishes in Japan (next April), they want to
come back to England. I am very concerned for them though, as when
they come back they will both be unemployed, homeless, and the wife
will be heavily pregnant, and they won't have any/much money.

 My question is this:

When they arrive in England next April will they be able to get put
straight into a council house?

Can you outline please, the process involved, how long it is likely to
take, and what other things should be considered?

There are a few aspects that trouble me, and I would like some further
information or advice on if possible.

1) If they went to stay with friends or family upon returning for a
few days, would this affect their eligibility for council housing? For
example, my parents have a spare room (just 1 room mind you, for 5-6
people). If they stayed there would this cause any problems?

2) I have heard it said before that if the council thinks you made
yourself "intentionally homeless", then they won't help you.  Is there
any way they could say that by coming back to England they had made
themselves intentionally homeless?

3) Does their "port of entry" make any difference? For example, would
they have to seek housing close to where they entered the country? Or
would they have to go back to the area where they used to live before
they went to Japan? Or should they seek housing in the area that they
have family? (ie. close to the parental home)

Thank you in advance for your help. Please note that I am more looking
for the opinion of someone knowledgeable on the subject, than lots of
links to websites. I have read sites like shelter.org.uk, and while I
have little doubt that they will be eligible for housing, I still have
concerns as detailed above. Thanks

Whether they will be able to go straight into a council house will
depend on the availability of council housing in their chosen
location. It may be hard to find a council house with enough bedrooms.

You confuse eligibility for a council house with statutory obligation
to rehouse. Most councils allocate housing on a points/priority basis.
Staying with friends or in an overcrowded house may increase the
priority for housing, but might not justify the council having a
statutory obligation to provide housing - which is often provided by
the council making an arrangement with a private sector 'bed and
breakfast'.

I don't think returning to the UK would count as being intentionally homeless.

Port of entry makes no difference to the eligibility for council
housing, but may make a difference for statutory rehousing. The
eligibility for council housing varies, some councils require a local
connection (where they lived before, or where parents live, would
probably count) but some don't.

Owain