General housing information and advice

Description

The provision of advice and assistance to anyone homeless, threatened with homelessness or potentially homeless.

Eligibility

Any member of the general public

Procedure

Contact can be made with the housing advice team by telephone or in person at Wellington House. Where a person is threatened with homelessness or is potentially homeless and actual homelessness can be prevented, appropriate advice will be given to this end. Where homelessness cannot be prevented and time allows, an appointment will be made with a housing adviser. Where homelessness will occur within a few days (and cannot be prevented) advice will be given to attend Wellington House.

Where actual homelessness has occurred an interview will take place on the same day and a decision made as to the Authoritys immediate responsibility in relation to the provision of temporary accommodation and other duties under statute. Where appropriate, temporary accommodation may be provided immediately.

The Housing Adviser will provide advice as to the possible outcomes and accommodation options available and will advise of the Authoritys responsibilities under statute.

Helplines

Barnsley MBC Homeless and Housing Advice 01226 773870
Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 01226 715656
Shelter Helpline 0808 8004444
South Yorkshire Police in the event of immediate violence or the threat of violence - 999

Charges/Fees

There are no charges or fees for the advice service.
Where temporary accommodation is provided there may be costs in relation to this. This will be determined beforehand and may relate to the actual accommodation costs and charges for utilities and any meals provided.

Method of Payments Available

Payments may be made direct to the accommodation provider as appropriate. Where Barnsley MBC is the provider arrangements for repayment will be agreed beforehand.

Opening Times

Monday  toWednesday 08.45am to 5.00pm
Thursday 08.45am to 4.15pm
Friday 08.45am to 4.30pm

How the customer can help

The following information will be acceptable and should be provided at the time of approach or as soon as possible afterwards. Please note, these should be original documents and not copies.
UK Passport; Marriage Certificate; Utilities bill; Driving Licence; National Insurance number card; Benefit Book; Travel Pass; Birth Certificate; Bank or Building Society statements; Recent pay slips.

Application form references

Homeless Report P.S. 5954

Leaflets

Homelessness and Housing Advice P.S. 5712
Private Rented Accommodation P.S. 5713
Harassment & Illegal Eviction P.S. 5820

Distribution Points

Wellington House
Local Area Housing Offices.

Legislation

1996 Housing Act (As amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act)

Websites

Please refer to the 'Associated Links' for related websites.

Response Times / Next Steps

Where homelessness exists an appointment will be made on the same day of contact with the service.
Where there is a threat of or the potential for homelessness and time allows, an appointment will be made with a housing adviser for the first available time.
Where appropriate, additional enquiries will be carried out to determine the Authoritys responsibilities under statute. The Authority is obliged to confirm any decision made in writing in relation to all homelessness approaches. The Authority will endeavour to complete all enquiries within 33 days.

Out of Hours Procedure

Contact should be made with the Emergency Duty Team on 01226 715656.
Where there is actual violence or the threat of violence contact should be made with South Yorkshire Police on 999

Owner Officer Contact Details

T. Hegarty
Homeless and Housing Advice
Wellington House
Wellington Street
Barnsley
S70 1WA

Tel: 01226 773870

Additional Notes

Any additional information relating to the service can be obtained from T. Hegarty or C. Clegg on 01226 773870.

Related Links:

• Homelessnessact.org.uk