Homeless FAQ

What must I do if I am homeless or threatened with homelessness?

You must contact the Homelessness and Housing Advice Service who will be able to advise you of your best course of action.

The helpline number is 01922 653405

We may be able to help prevent you becoming homeless, or help you to find new accommodation. We will offer you an interview if required. In addition we produce a number of advice leaflets which may help your situation.

Alternatively you can contact Shelter on their freephone advice line 0808 8004444

If I become homeless due to an emergency and the office isn’t open, what can I do?

If you become homeless outside of normal working hours you should contact the Emergency Out Of Hours Service on 01922 650000

Please remember: this is for emergencies only. If you have been made homeless and can make your own temporary arrangements please do so.

Am I eligible for housing assistance?

The council has a duty towards people who are or soon will be homeless. Everyone is entitled to help and advice. How much help we can give you will depend on your circumstances. A full housing duty is owed to homeless people who are:

eligible
homeless or threatened with homelessness in 28 days
in priority need
homeless through no fault of your own
have a local connection with the Walsall area.

Most people are eligible for assistance but you probably will not be if you are:

an asylum seeker
from abroad and have limits to your right to remain in the UK
not entitled to claim ‘public funds’, such as benefits
not normally resident in the UK or are living here illegally

What is priority need?

You are in priority need if :

you are responsible for dependent children
you, or someone you live with, is pregnant
you are homeless because of a fire, flood or other disaster
you are vulnerable because of old age, disability , learning difficulties, being in prison or the armed forces or have mental health issues
you are aged 16 or 17
you are vulnerable due to having been looked after by Social Services
you can no longer live in your accommodation because of violence or threats of violence
you are vulnerable for other special reasons

Will I need to go into temporary accommodation?

This will depend on your personal circumstances, particularly if you have no family or friends in the area that you can stay with.

If you are eligible for assistance, homeless and in priority need we will provide you with temporary accommodation if you need it while we investigate your application.

Every effort is made to provide temporary accommodation in the Walsall Borough.

Our enquiries and decision on your case should take no more than 33 working days.

If we accept that you are eligible for assistance, in priority need, and the homelessness is through no fault of your own, and have a local connection, you will be nominated for re-housing to a Registered Social Landlord or a private tenancy may be obtained if appropriate.

The time it takes to be permanently re-housed will depend on the size of property required, where you wish to live, the demand for accommodation in that area and your support needs.

Am I able to receive any support when in my tenancy or during my stay in temporary accommodation?

If you are a Registered Social Landlord tenant experiencing difficulties sustaining your tenancy support is available to assist you in sustaining your tenancy / preventing homelessness Bromford Housing Group and Accord Housing both provide floating support schemes. These schemes can provide benefit advice, help with completing forms, general counselling and housing support. They can speak with your landlord if you are having difficulties paying your rent as well as talking with other agencies on your behalf if you need it

Please contact the temporary accommodation team at the project you are staying at for further information if you are a resident in temporary housing in need of support. Support and resettlement workers will be able to help you.

I need advice on my housing situation, where can I go?

Walsall Council provides a free service to assist you with any housing problems, whether you own your own home, are a tenant or lodger.

Contact the Helpline on 01922 653405

Advice can be given over the telephone, or you can ask for an appointment to see someone if you’d prefer. Drop in sessions, where no appointment is needed are also operated. Ring the team for further details.

In most cases you will be advised directly but in some instances you may be referred to other services for specialist advice.

What sort of advice is available?

Our free, confidential and impartial advice covers a range of issues:

Help with finding accommodation
Help with housing and welfare benefits
Help to understand your legal rights.

We can also advise on:

Rent and mortgage arrears
What to do if you are threatened with eviction or repossession
What to do if your present accommodation is unsuitable due to medical needs
What to do if you property needs repair by your landlord.

In addition the Council publishes a number of advice leaflets, related to some of the above topics. Phone or call in for details

Does the Council have any accommodation?

Walsall Council no longer has any stock of its own. In March 2003, two new Registered Social Landlords (also known as housing associations) were formed to manage the homes transferred to them by the council.

These are Walsall Housing Group (WHG), telephone number 01922 425600 and WATMOS Housing Co-operative, telephone number 01922 471910.

What should I do if I find a private tenancy?

Completing a pre – tenancy determination form will help you decide if the property you have found is affordable. It will look at your income, the rent level and calculate whether you would be entitled to help with your housing costs

Contact The Benefits Service on 01922 650000 for more information

Most private landlords require rent in advance and a deposit.

The Council can, in certain circumstances provide help with this. We work with Walsall Rent Guarantee Scheme

For more details on whether you are eligible for help, please contact the Housing Advice Service Helpline on 01922 653405.

I am having problems paying my rent because of debt, who can I talk to about this?

It is really important that you make contact with the Housing Advice Service on Helpline on 01922 653405 before the situation escalates. Officers can put you in touch with a debt advice worker or refer you to the tenancy sustainment scheme.

Alternatively the Citizens Advice Bureau offer their own Money Advisory Service and they can be contacted on 01922 700600.

I am a young person living at home and have been asked to leave, but don’t want to, what can I do?

Mediation may help in this situation. Contact the Housing Advice Helpline on 01922 653405, particularly if you are under 18. We may be able to get in touch with your parents to arrange a meeting where you can discuss your difficulties and come to a mutually satisfactory solution to enable you to stay or return home.

I am splitting up with my partner, how can I avoid becoming homeless?

Couples experiencing the breakdown of a relationship can approach organisations such as Relate on 01922 626004 to help with relationship difficulties. Mediation can produce an amicable arrangement about the family home. Alternatively contact the Helpline on 01922 653405.

I am living with friends, but they have asked me to leave, what can I do?

You will probably have to leave unless the person agrees to let you stay longer. It is usually worth asking if you could stay a little longer while you try to find somewhere else to live.

My landlord has asked me to leave, what can I do?

You do not have to leave just because you’ve been told to. A legal process must be followed which varies depending on the type of tenancy. A verbal notice is not usually valid. If your landlord harasses you by making threats, cutting off services or changing the locks contact the Helpline on 01922 653405 immediately.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 01922 700600 will be able to offer you legal advice.

What is a Housing Association?

Housing associations, also known as registered social landlords, are not for profit organisations that receive public funding to provide affordable housing. The two main housing associations in Walsall are Walsall Housing Group and WATMOS Housing Co-operative.

We also provide details of other housing associations operating in Walsall. Access to this housing is usually through the council’s housing register which is managed by Walsall Housing Group and applicants can register at any of their offices. Some housing associations accept direct applicants and keep their own waiting list.

I am thinking of leaving home for the first time, what advice can you give me?

Leaving home can give you more freedom, independence and space, but it’s not guaranteed to be a positive experience. It isn’t always easy to find a suitable place and living on your own can be expensive. Preparing properly makes the process easier and can help to avoid being homeless. Find out about your rights, talk to your family and friends, work out your finances and find a place to live before you leave.

Access Shelter’s website or their freephone advice line on 0808 8004444 to talk in confidence and receive expert housing advice. Alternatively call our Helpline on 01922 653405. If you are under 16 you should contact Childline on 08001111.