Homeless or at risk of losing your home

Act now!

Our first priority is to prevent you from losing your home so the earlier you get in touch the more successful we're likely to be. We also have a host of information available on our website to assist you in either preventing your homelessness or assisting you if you are already homeless. 

Please see the Homelessness and Housing Options in Sandwell information pack  to get further information on housing options alongside advice on the following reasons for homelessness

  • Private Tenancy Ending (including Section 21, Section 8)
  • Parents or relatives have asked you to leave
  • Mortgage arrears
  • Relationship Breakdown
  • Care Leaver
  • Ex Armed Forces

If you are homeless in an emergency

If you are homeless and:

  • you have nowhere to stay tonight
  • you are in imminent danger

Please call the Housing Solutions Team on 0121 368 1166 (option 2). 

If you find yourself with nowhere to stay outside office hours or over the weekend please contact Housing Solutions out of hours 0121 569 6883 (24 hour callback service). We can only give advice in emergencies on this line - if you have somewhere safe to stay, even if this is temporary, please contact during office hours (Monday to Friday 8am - 5.30pm) on 0121 368 1166 - option 2.

If you are threatened with homelessness but have somewhere to stay tonight

If you are threatened with homelessness and have somewhere to stay for the next couple of weeks then you can register directly into our service as homeless by using Jigsaw. This is a quicker way to refer into the service, also allowing you to track the progress of your case, upload documents and detail in your own words the full reason for approach and useful information to consider whilst accessing your situation.

Registering as homeless through the Jigsaw website is quick and simple. Register online and select the option Register as Homeless, following this choose Sandwell Council from the list of local authorities provided.

Alternatively you can call the contact centre on 0121 368 1166 option 2.

Suffering Domestic Abuse?

If you are suffering domestic abuse follow the advice on this dedicated page which highlights all support available 

If it is not safe in your home there are a number of options we can help support you with including:

  • The Target Hardening Scheme - carrying out safety works in your home such as changing locks, fire proofing letter boxes and providing you with an alarm
  • You could stay with friends or relatives while you think about what to do next 
  • You can contact Black Country Womens Aid who may have a refuge space available; or you can contact Housing Solutions on the contact details listed on this page

What can I expect next?

Once we have received your details a member of our team will review the information you have provided and will arrange to speak to you to understand a little more about your situation. We may need to ask for some more information before or during this stage.

During this first discussion we work with you to understand the reason you need help and will explore whether you are homeless or at risk of homelessness and what we may be able to do straight away to prevent this. In most circumstances will will have to see some proof to show you are at risk of or already homeless. This may include seeing an eviction notice (such as a section 21) or speaking to whoever has asked you to leave your current home. There are some exceptions to this and the person supporting you will help with this.

At this stage we may decide that you are not homeless or at risk of homelessness but will still provide advice, guidance and direct you to other people and sources of help.

If this assessment finds that you are homeless or at risk of homeless then your case will be given to one of our Homelessness Prevention Officers who will work with you to understand the reason for homelessness and any underlying issues. We will then work with you to develop a personal housing plan which we will work on together. This will be based on your own needs and will look at all suitable housing options. This will include considering Private Rented accommodation.

Where possible and appropriate we will try to assist you to remain in your home and it is therefore important to contact us as soon as possible when you feel you may require assistance.

Debt and money advice

Additional information, advice and legal help in relation to money including negotiating with creditors, rescheduling debt, benefit or income maximisation, applications for administration orders, mortgage arrears, tax debts, and utilities bills can be accessed via:-

Further information