If you are at risk of losing your home or becoming homeless please contact the Sandwell Homes Housing Options service for comprehensive housing advice.

The emphasis on service delivery has now changed significantly to one of prevention rather than processing of those households becoming homeless. The Housing Options team has been developed through the current five year homelessness strategy.

The Housing Options Team will now see those at risk of becoming homeless at the earliest opportunity so that work can begin as soon as possible to help to resolve issues that threaten to make those households homeless. In the first instance a Housing Options interview will take place to determine what options are available to the individual, and as no two households will have the same set of circumstances this advice will be tailored to the individual based on their circumstances at the time.

Once the Housing Options interview has taken place and action plan is developed to prevent them from becoming homeless. This may include some or all of the following:

• Mediation with family and friends who have given notice to leave accommodation.
• Mediation with landlords who may wish to secure possession of their accommodation.
• Advice on benefits including housing benefits in order to maximise a client’s income.
• Advice about debt and reducing outgoings whilst maximising income
• Advice and assistance in obtaining housing in the private sector including help with deposits. Deposit Guarantee Scheme (DiGS)
• Referral to St. Basils an organisation that works with young people to prevent youth homelessness by providing accommodation and support services.
• Advice about opportunities with Registered Social Landlords as well as how to participate in the Choice Based Letting scheme and details of how the options available to you through Sandwell Homes' property shops.
• Advice and assistance with shared ownership schemes
• Help and assistance when being threatened with illegal eviction by a private landlord, or when being harassed.
• Help, advice, and support for those at risk of domestic abuse. The Sanctuary Scheme offers you the choice to remain safely in your home. For more information contact the 24hr helpline 0845 359 7525 or e-mail soada@sandwell.gov.uk
• Base is a school homelessness project. A DVD shows real life experiences of homeless young people in Sandwell. It is available for use in schools and youth centres, to give young people practical advice about the realities of leaving home, becoming homeless and living independently.

If it becomes clear that homelessness cannot be prevented then the Housing Options teams will make an assessment under the homelessness legislation in order to ensure that help is available to resolve homelessness. Under these circumstances temporary accommodation and supported housing can be made available until a more permanent resolution to homelessness is found.

Sandwell Single Referral Panel

The Sandwell Single Referral Panel (SRP) is a method of sourcing supported accommodation for young people aged 16 – 25. The word 'single' refers to the pathway and not to the status of the applicant. Applications are accepted from singles, singles with children or couples with children. The only criteria for acceptance for consideration is the age group.

Acceptance of an application is not acceptance that accommodation will be supplied. The SRP is not a route for emergency accommodation. The normal process can take between one and three weeks to complete. All applications are listed on a database; the details on the application are assessed by the SRP co-ordinator who decides, which supported accommodation project to refer the applicant to. Sandwell has access to a number of supported accommodation projects that can all offer accommodation providing the applicant fulfills certain conditions.

If you need assistance between 6pm & 8am weekdays or on the weekend, please contact the Out of Hours Emergency Service or for more information on Housing Options go to Sandwell Homes: Finding A Home

Out Of Hours Emergency Service

If you become Homeless outside of normal office hours and have nowhere to stay for the night, please contact Community Alarms on 0121 525 4688 who will contact the Out Of Hours emergency service team who will guide you further.

Housing Options
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DQ

Tel: 0121 569 2698 / 2706 / 5152
Fax: 0121 569 5343
Minicom: 0121 569 4241
Opening Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm, Thursday 9.00am - 1.00pm, Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm

Advice is offered to homeless people and customers on private tenancy issues.

• Homeless or threatened with homelessness?