Homes in the City

Housing advice

Debt Advice

If you're having financial problems, there are a number of organisations that can help.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit may be able to help pay your rent and Council Tax.

You can get more information here

If you're struggling to pay outstanding bills try the National Debtline

If you've lost your job or your hours have been reduced, you may be entitled to a number of benefits depending on your circumstances. You will need to contact the Job Centre to make a claim for benefit.

Their website is here

Or phone (free from a landline) 0800 055 66 88

If you're deaf, hard of hearing or have speech difficulties

Text phone 0800 023 48 88

Locally you can get advice from the Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over three thousand locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.

Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide email advice.

More detailed information about their services and where their offices are can be found on their website.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusing and controlling behaviour which often escalates over time. It can be physical, emotional, financial, sexual, threats, harassment or intimidation. If you've been injured or if your partner is threatening to hurt you or your children, call the police immediately.

If you don't need to call the police, or don't want to, you can ring the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Calls are free and you can call anytime day or night. The men's helpline is 0808 801 0327.

Locally, help is available from The Haven. Their 24 hour referral line is 01902 713001 and more details can be found on their website at www.havenrefuge.org.uk

Respect

If you are hurting or threatening your partner or family members and you want to help change your behaviour ring Respect 0845 122 8609.

Private Renting / Rent Deposit Scheme

Homeless to Home is the name of Wolverhampton's Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The scheme enables prospective tenants, who can't raise the deposit, to ask the landlord if they will accept a bond instead of cash.

To qualify you must be homeless or threatened with homelessness through no fault of your own.

You must also be on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or on a low income or Working Tax Credit.

More details of the scheme can be found in the Homeless to Home booklet.

Students

If you're a student looking to come to Wolverhampton, or even if you live here already, you may find the information on this link useful.

Young People

The Council's Young Persons team works closely with Base 25.

Their advice/assistance includes:

  • Hostel and Housing Association information
  • Advice on housing and welfare benefits
  • Making referrals to other suitable services such as:
    • The teenage pregnancy unit
    • Homeless services
    • Social Services.

They also work together with Children's Services, Youth Offending Team (YOT) and Homeless Services to jointly assess young people who become homeless.

If you are 16/17 years old and tell us you are homeless you will be assessed and, if you have no other place to stay, accommodation will be provided for you.

The team will then work with Children's Services, Homeless services and if applicable YOT to find appropriate accommodation and support for the future.

You can contact the team on 01902 556804, at the drop in mentioned above or by email youngpersonsteam@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

Supporting People

Our Supporting People team fund organisations to provide support to a range of people who may require assistance to live independently at home.

Services we fund can help you with:

  • applying for benefits, budgeting and managing debts
  • dealing with care professionals, family, neighbours and advocating on your behalf
  • finding somewhere to live and setting up home
  • gaining access to other support or community services
  • keeping an eye on your well-being
  • learning domestic, life or social skills in order to become more independent
  • providing alarm systems to enable people to call for help in an emergency
  • finding out about work or training.

Our local service directory lists all supported housing providers currently funded by Supporting People in Wolverhampton.

Low Cost Home Ownership

Low cost home ownership offers an affordable way to get on the home ownership ladder.

Schemes are intended for people who cannot afford to buy a suitable home in any other way. You must be in housing need and be unable to afford outright purchase. Some schemes are aimed at people who work in particular public service jobs - known as 'key workers'.

There are different kinds of low cost home ownership, some are for brand new properties, some for existing homes. Some schemes provide help through a subsidised loan to top up your mortgage, some allow you to part buy a property and pay a rent on the share you do not own. Most schemes allow you to gradually buy further shares and allow you to eventually buy your home outright.

In Wolverhampton shared ownership schemes are run by Bromford Homes and The Heantun Group. HomeBuy is a Government scheme which includes a range of low cost ownership options; the HomeBuy Agent for Wolverhampton is Mercian Housing Association. HomeBuy offers a way to search for low cost properties in your area.

Adaptations

If disability or ill health is making it hard for you live in your current property, changes can be made to your home.

Wolverhampton's Independent Living Service works alongside the Neville Garratt Centre for Independent Living and provides a range of equipment and adaptations. The service can be contacted by:

E-mail: info.ces@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Phone: 01902 553648
Textphone: 01902 553677
Fax: 01902 551511

Tenancy Sustainment

You may feel you are at risk of losing a current tenancy, for example you may have rent arrears or issues around drugs/alcohol or your mental health. Wolverhampton's Tenancy Sustainment Team may be able to help.

If you'd like to contact the Team ring them on 01902 551023 or read their information leaflet for more details.

Mutual Exchanges

You may be finding that your present home has become too small or too large for your family or that you would like to move to a different area. A Mutual Exchange can be a very quick and easy way to move to a home that suits you better and you don't need to be on a waiting list or have a housing need.

If you are a tenant of the Council, or another social landlord e.g. a Housing Association, and you can find another tenant that is willing to swap with you, you may be able to do an exchange. And if you need to move away from Wolverhampton, you can exchange properties with willing tenants in any part of the country.

Locally you can ask at your housing office about applying for an exchange or finding someone to swap with and there is a national scheme that can be found at the HomeSwapper website. Please note that they may make a small charge.

There are rules about whether you can exchange, for example you cannot move to a property that is too big or too small. You also need to make sure that you have paid any rent arrears and other housing debts. For details contact your housing office or landlord.

Please note, you must have permission from your landlord before you can exchange.

Sheltered and Very Sheltered Housing

Sheltered Housing is a group of self-contained flats, bedsits or bungalows designed to meet the needs of older people.

A member of staff supports the scheme during weekdays and there is a community alarm provided in case emergencies happen at other times.

Many schemes offer communal facilities and social activities.

For enquiries about Sheltered Housing contact your local housing office.

Very Sheltered Housing provides a home for those people that need more support than sheltered housing can give.

In Very Sheltered Housing:

  • You will live in a safe and secure environment.
  • We will assist with domestic tasks and personal care if required.
  • You will have a lounge, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and your own front door.
  • Communal lounges, activity areas, dining facilities and assisted bathing are available.
  • You will have privacy and quiet in your own flat to entertain friends and relatives.

To find out more about what Very Sheltered Housing can offer, ring 01902 554753 for an information pack.

Homelessness

We know that sometimes, despite everything, you may lose your home or you may be in danger of losing it in the very near future.

If this happens to you then you should contact the Homeless Services Unit on 01902 554747, 554741, 554807 or 551044.

More details on homelessness can be found on the Council's website if you click here.