Rough sleeping

If you're sleeping rough or know someone who is, contact us for help and advice. You can:

• call us on 01226 773870 or freephone 0808 196 3530 (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, or 9am to 4:30pm Friday)
• call 01226 773870 out of hours
• visit StreetLink to make a report online
• visit us on the second floor of Wellington House on Wellington Street, Barnsley from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday (no appointment needed)

Anyone sleeping rough is offered overnight accommodation during severe weather. This is usually when the temperature falls to zero degrees or below.

Barnsley Churches Drop-in at Temperance House, Pitt Street provide hot meals to anyone who's homeless on Mondays from 10am to 12pm, and Thursdays and Fridays from 12pm to 2pm.

Action for Barnsley Homelessness also provide food on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm at Temperance House.

Finding a property

If you're looking for a property there are several options available, including social housing, renting from a private landlord, and shared ownership schemes.

Council housing

Council housing in Barnsley is looked after by Berneslai Homes. They manage the council house register or 'waiting list' and rent out homes through a choice-based letting scheme. They're also responsible for:

• collecting rents
• repairs and maintenance
• supporting people to manage their tenancy

Visit the Berneslai Homes website to find out about applying for a council house.

Housing association properties

Affordable homes are available to rent in Barnsley from several housing associations. You can find a list of these and how to find a housing association property on our affordable housing webpage.

Private rentals

Private rented homes are available in lots of different types and sizes in Barnsley. It can be quicker to get a home which is rented privately as there are no waiting lists. If you're homeless or threatened with homelessness we may also be able to help you with your deposit or bond.

Find out about renting a home in the private rented sector.

Supported accommodation

There are a number of services that offer supported accommodation, such as short stay assessment units and support in your home (floating support).

Supported accommodation is short to medium term, and provides you with access to support and advice when you need it. This helps you become more independent and develops the skills you need to live and manage in your own home. 

'Floating support' is community-based and helps people with a range of needs to manage their tenancy and prevent homelessness.

Contact us about this type of housing and we'll refer you to the appropriate service for your needs.

Shared ownership and other low cost home ownership

If you're working but can't afford to buy a home or don't have a deposit saved, there are other options available to help you to own your own home. Find out about affordable home ownership on GOV.UK.

Renting from a private landlord

If you're looking to start renting a home from a private landlord, see our information about finding housing in the private rented sector.

For information about your rights as a tenant, what your landlord is responsible for, or if you're having problems with your landlord, see our help for private tenants.

If you're in rent arrears, find out about the support available if you're having problems paying your rent.

16-18 year olds

If you're aged between 16 and 18 and you're homeless or threatened with homelessness, we'll complete a joint assessment with the children’s social care team. This will include details of your circumstances and any support needs you have. This will help us to prevent you becoming homeless and help you to return home if this is suitable.

Care leavers

If you've been in the care of the local authority, there are services who can help you find accommodation and support you. Find out about the support available for care leavers.

As someone who's been in care, you may be entitled to additional priority when applying for council housing. See the Berneslai Homes lettings policy for details.

If you've been in care and are homeless or about to become homeless, contact us.

Physical difficulties living in your current home 

If you're struggling to live in your home because of an illness or long term medical condition, equipment and adaptations for your home could help.

If you need major adaptations to your home, you may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to help pay for things such as:

• widening doors and installing ramps
• a stairlift
• a downstairs bathroom

If you feel you need to move because your home isn't suitable anymore due to your health issues, you can register for council housing. You can ask for an assessment of your health, which may give you a higher priority for your housing application.

Discharge from hospital 

If you're in hospital and won't be able to return home because of ill health, it may be possible for your home to be adapted to help you to stay there. Our reablement service can offer you support, and you may be able to get equipment and adaptations for your home. Find out more about hospital care and coming home.

If you don't have a home to go back to when you're discharged, we can assess your housing and support needs and work with you and any professionals to make sure accommodation is available for you when you leave hospital. You should contact us as soon as possible to allow enough time for an assessment and housing options to be found for you.

Armed forces members and veterans

If you're serving in the armed forces or you're a veteran, there's a range of organisations that can support you to find a home. Find out about housing support for the armed forces community. You may also be eligible for higher priority for council housing. See the Berneslai Homes lettings policy for details.

If you've been in hospital and need some help to live at home, you might qualify for support from our reablement service to help you to regain living skills and independence.

If you have a disability and need help with everyday living, contact our adult social care team to discuss your support needs and let them know that you're ex-armed forces.

Prison release

If you're in prison or youth detention and will have no home when you're released, we can assess your needs and work with you and any professionals helping you to find a home.

You should contact us as soon as possible to allow enough time for an assessment and housing options to be found for you.

Domestic abuse

If you're experiencing domestic abuse, there's help and support available. Find out about domestic abuse services and how to report domestic abuse. If you're a Berneslai Homes tenant, you can also report domestic abuse to Berneslai Homes.

If you're at risk of harm if you stay in your current home, contact us for housing advice. 

Who has a duty to refer

The following public bodies have a duty to refer someone who is homeless or likely to become homeless:

• Jobcentre Plus
• Social service authorities
• Probation services
• Hospitals (as part of providing inpatient care)
• Emergency departments
• Urgent treatment centres
• Prisons
• Youth offender institutions
• Secure training centres
• Secure colleges
• Youth offending teams
• Royal Navy
• Royal Marines
• Army
• Royal Air Force

Make a referral

You can refer any customer/service user you've identified as either being homeless or threatened with homelessness. The person being referred must give their consent for the referral.

The person being referred can choose which local authority they wish to be referred to, so you'll need to ask them where they'd like the referral to be sent.

To refer a service user, register and fill in our secure online referral form or email us at dutytorefer@barnsley.gov.uk. Please note: this is not a secure email address.

If the service user needs urgent housing assistance, please call us on 01226 773870.

The duty to refer process does not replace or affect any safeguarding concerns and referrals. Please report any safeguarding concerns in the usual way.