Access to Housing

Housing Services Access to Housing Booklet

2 Access to Housing Booklet Introduction

Introduction

This booklet tells you about housing in Walsall. Walsall Council do not own any houses, all of the stock for social rent is owned and managed by housing associations.

This booklet tells you about: Housing Associations in the area How to contact them How to make an application for housing Where housing associations have their properties The type of accommodation housing associations have

It also tells you about: Housing associations Page 4 - 22 Property Allocation Page 23 Choose and Move Page 23 Don’t miss out on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Free School Meals! Page 23 What happens if my circumstances change? Page 24 Homeswapper Page 25 Low cost home ownership and Page 26 shared ownership Homebuy Agents Page 26 How do I find out who offer shared ownership in Walsall? Page 27 Private Renting Page 27 Private Rented Bond Scheme Page 27 Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) Page 27 be.. housed Apdated Housing Service Page 28 Housing Advice/Homeless Page 29 Prevention Services Page 30 Useful Telephone Numbers Page 31

3 Access to Housing Booklet Housing Associations

Housing Associations

There are many housing associations in Walsall. They have different property types to suit your needs, including: _ Older people _Young people _Families People_ with special support needs

What is the role of a Housing Association?

A Housing Association owns and/or manages social rented housing. Their aim is to meet local housing demand And Provide good quality affordable homes

How long you have to wait for accommodation will depend on a variety of things, eg: Your personal circumstances The type of property you need The area you want to live The availability of properties

Housing Associations in Walsall. How do I apply?

This booklet has a list of the local housing associations operating in the Walsall Area. You can apply to each one directly and ask for an application form or complete the registration of interest form that accompanies this booklet.

4 Access to Housing Booklet Housing Associations

List of Housing Associations and the type of property they have. (Associations with the largest number of homes are at the top of the list)

Sheltered Housing Houses 1 Bed Flats 2 Bed Flats 3 Bed Flats Bungalow Bedsit Association Housing

whg - Walsall Housing group WATMOS Community Homes

caldmoreaccord

Beechdale (BCHA)

Mercian

Bromford

Midland Heart

Heantun

Harden

Jephson

Sanctuary

Hanover

Nehemiah UCHA

Housing 21

5 Access to Housing Booklet Housing Association Areas

Area

Housing Association Harden Mercian Hanover Heantun Jephson WATMOS Bromford Sanctuary Beechdale Housing 21 Housing whg – Walsall Midland HeartMidland Housing group Housing Nehemiah UCHA caldmoreaccord

Aldridge Central / South Aldridge North / Walsall Wood Bentley and Darlaston North Birchills / Leamore

Blakenall

Bloxwich East

Bloxwich West

Brownhills

Darlaston South

Paddock

Palfrey

Pelsall

Pheasey Park Farm

Pleck

Rushall / Shelfied

Short Heath

St Mathews

Streetly

Willenhall North

Willenhall South

6 Access to Housing Booklet Walsall Housing Group

Walsall Housing Group (whg) Telephone: 0300 555 6666 Email: [email protected] Website: www.whg.uk.com To apply for accommodation you may contact any one of whg’s area offices listed below or register on-line at www.choose-2-move.com

Walsall Housing Group Walsall Housing Group Aldridge and Brownhills Office Willenhall Office 13 Silver Court, Beechwood House, High Street, New Road, Brownhills Willenhall WS8 6HA WV13 2BG

Walsall Housing Group Walsall Housing Group Blakenall Village Centre Office 100 Hatherton Street, Blakenall Village Centre, Walsall Thames Road, WS1 1AB Blakenall WS3 1LZ

Walsall Housing Group Darlaston Office 45 King Street, Darlaston, West Midlands, WS10 8DE

7 Access to Housing Booklet Walsall Housing Group

Walsall Housing Group (whg) Types of accommodation they offer are:

Houses 1,2 and 3 bed flats / 2 and 3 bed Maisonettes 1, 2 and 3 bed Bungalows Bedsits whg has just under 19000 homes (half of which are houses). There are also 6400 flats and 1700 bungalows. Please remember that certain parts of the borough contain more properties than others. There are only 279 houses with more than 3 bedrooms

The areas they cover are listed below

1. Brownhills 15. Bloxwich West 2. Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 16. Willenhall North 3. Aldridge Central and South 17. Short Heath 4. Streetly 18. Bentley and Darlaston North 5. Pheasey park farm 19. Willenhall South 6. Paddock 20. Darlaston South 7. St. Matthews 8. Rushall and Shelfield 9. Pelsall 10. Bloxwich East 1 Brownhills 11. Blakenall 12. Palfrey 13. Pleck 9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 14. Birchills and Leamore 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 20 Pheasey 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

8 Access to Housing Booklet Watmos

WATMOS Community Homes 116 - 120 Lichfield Street, Walsall WS1 1SZ 01922 471910 Website: www.watmos.org.uk

To apply for accommodation with WATMOS you can contact any of the offices. You may wish to contact the TMO in the area you would like to live:

The Avenues TMO Burrowes Street TMO 10/11 Second Avenue Burrowes Street Brownhills WS8 6JA Walsall WS2 8NN 01922 427652 01922 613292 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Chuckery TMO Delves TMO (East and West) 2 Brookes House, Tantarra Street West Bromwich Road Chuckery, Walsall WS1 2HS Delves, Walsall WS5 4NW 01922 644456 01922 720790 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Leamore TMO Sandbank TMO 1 Dover House, Providence Close 1a Clarke House Leamore, Walsall WS3 2AW Bloxwich WS3 2HF 01922 493266 01922 400333 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Twin Crescents TMO 11 Grove Crescent Pelsall WS3 4NG 01922 682539 Email: [email protected]

9 Access to Housing Booklet Watmos

WATMOS Community Homes Types of accommodation they offer are:

Houses 1,2 and 3 Bed Fats / 2 and 3 Bed Maisonettes Bedsits The areas they cover are listed below

1. Brownhills 7. St. Matthews 9. Pelsall 12. Palfrey 14. Birchills and Leamore 15. Bloxwich West 1 Brownhills

9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 Pheasey

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

10 Access to Housing Booklet caldmoreaccord caldmoreaccord Darlaston Office, 37 King Street, Darlaston, West Midlands, WS10 8DE Caldmore Office, 18 Caldmore Green, Walsall, WS1 3RL

0300 111 7000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.caldmoreaccordha.org.uk

Caldmoreaccord Housing association provide homes for families, couples and single people. Caldmore Accord also provides a wide range of care and support services. Caldmoreaccord has: 24 bedsits, 1088 one bed properties; 1082 two bed properties; 661 three bed properties; 92 four bed properties; 69 properties larger than 4 bedrooms.

Types of accommodation they offer are: Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats Bungalows Sheltered Housing

The areas they cover are listed below 16. Willenhall North

1. Brownhills 17. Short Heath 2. Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 18. Bentley and Darlaston North 3. Aldridge Central and South 19. Willenhall South 4. Streetly 20. Darlaston South 5. Pheasey park farm 6. Paddock 7. St. Matthews 1 Brownhills 8. Rushall and Shelfield 9. Pelsall 10. Bloxwich East 9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 11. Blakenall 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich 12. Palfrey Bloxwich East 16 West 8 13. Pleck Willenhall Rushall and Shelfield 14. Birchills and Leamore North 11 Blakenall 15. Bloxwich West 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 20 Pheasey 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

11 Access to Housing Booklet BCHA

Beechdale Community Housing Chilton House, Stephenson Avenue, Beechdale, WS2 7EU

01922 648252 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fch.org.uk/beechdale

Beechdale Community Housing are a community based Housing Provider led by tenants. Since April 2011 Beechdale entered into a partnership with ‘Friendship Care and Housing’, becoming one organisation.

They have 1245 properties, mainly houses, bungalows and flats.

Types of accommodation they offer are: Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats Bungalows

The areas they cover are listed below 14. Beechdale Estate only 1 Brownhills

9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Beechdale Aldridge Central Short Heath Estate only 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 Pheasey

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

12 Access to Housing Booklet Mercian Housing Association

Mercian Housing Association Gee Business Centre, Holburn Hill, Aston, Birmingham, B7 5JR

0121 322 7373 Website: www.mercian.org.uk

Mercian provides accommodation for families, single people and for elderly residents. Mercian has a total of 400 properties within Walsall. Mercian Homes are allocated through whg’s ‘Choose and Move’ service. Visit www.whg.uk.com

Types of accommodation they offer are: Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats Bungalows Sheltered Housing

The areas they cover are listed below

7. St. Matthews 8. Rushall 9. Pelsall 10. Bloxwich East 11. Blakenall 1 Brownhills 17. Short Heath 18. Bentley and Darlaston North 20. Darlaston South 9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 20 Pheasey 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

13 Access to Housing Booklet Bromford Housing Group

Bromford Housing Group North West Regional Centre, 1 Venture Court, Broadlands, Wolverhampton, WV10 6TB

03301 234034 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bromford.co.uk

Bromford Housing Group manage 229 properties in Walsall, 200 are 2-3 bed houses, 2 bungalows and 27 flats.

Types of accommodation they offer are: Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats Bungalows

The areas they cover are listed below

7. St. Matthews 9. Pelsall 11. Blakenall 1 Brownhills 13. Pleck 14. Birchills and Leamore 9 2 15. Bloxwich West Pelsall Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 16. Willenhall North 10 15 Bloxwich 17. Short Heath Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 20 Pheasey 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

14 Access to Housing Booklet Midland Heart Housing Association

Midland Heart Housing Association The Westlands, 132 Compton Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9QB

0345 60 20 540 Website: www.midlandheart.org.uk

Midland Heart provides 157 properties in Walsall. It has 137 properties for families, couples and single people and there are also 20 shared ownership properties.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 2 and 3 Bed Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats

The areas they cover are listed below

1. Brownhills 3. Aldridge Central and South 5. Pheasey 7. St. Matthews 1 9. Pelsall Brownhills 13. Pleck 18. Bentley and Darlaston North 9 2 19. Willenhall South Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 Pheasey

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

15 Access to Housing Booklet Heantun Housing Association

Heantun Housing Association 3 Wellington Road, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 6AA

01902 57110 0 Email: [email protected] Website: www.heantun.org

Heantun own and manage 106 units of accommodation within the Willenhall South area of Walsall. 22 are designated supported housing and 84 units are for general needs to house single people, couples, older persons and families. The Association also provide a range of support services.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 1 and 2 Bed Flats Bungalows

The areas they cover are listed below 1 19. Willenhall South Brownhills

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

16 Access to Housing Booklet Harden Housing Association

Harden Housing Association One Parklands, Rubery, B45 9PZ

0121 457 4600 Fax: 0121 457 4601 Website: www.hardenhousing.co.uk

Harden has 16 properties, all 2 bed flats. The properties are for families, couples and single people. 7 of the properties are allocated for any age group and the other 9 properties are available for person aged over 50 years old.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 2 Bed Flats

The areas they cover are listed below 1 Brownhills 7. St. Matthews 8. Rushall and Shelfield 9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 Pheasey

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

17 Access to Housing Booklet Jephson Housing Association

Jephson Housing Association Jephson House, Narrowboat Way, Hurst Business Park, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 1UF

01384 471000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.jephson.org.uk

Jephson manages 10 one bed flats and 18 two bed flats. It offers accommodation for single people and couples aged 18 plus.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 1 and 2 Bed Flats

The areas they cover are listed below 1. Brownhills 1 Brownhills

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

18 Access to Housing Booklet Sanctuary Midlands Housing Association

Asra Housing Group 3 Bede Island Road, Leicester, LE2 7EA

0116 257 6716 Email: [email protected] Website: www.asra.org.uk

Asra Housing manage 18 in the Walsall area.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 1,2 and 3 Bed Apartments.

The areas they cover are listed below 19. Willenhall South

1 Brownhills

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

19 Access to Housing Booklet Hanover Housing Association

Hanover Housing Association Midlands Office, Nelson House, Arlington Road, Eymesbury, St. Neots, Cambs, TE19 6RE

0800 2802575 Website: www.hanover.org.uk

Hanover Housing Association provides 35 x 1 bed and 1 x 3 bed homes with support for older people.

Types of accommodation they offer are: 1 and 3 Bed Flats Sheltered Housing

The areas they cover are listed below 18. Bentley and Darlaston North 1 Brownhills

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

20 Access to Housing Booklet Nehemiah UCHA

Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association 5 Beacon Court, Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 6NN

0121 358 0966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nehemiah-ucha.co.uk

Nehemiah Housing United Churches Association provides sheltered accommodation for people aged over 55 years. The scheme has 21 one bed flats and 9 two bed flats.

Types of accommodation they offer are: Houses 1 and 2 Bed Flats Sheltered Housing

The areas they cover are listed below 7. St Mathews 1 Brownhills

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

21 Access to Housing Booklet Housing 21

Housing 21

Tel: 0345 606 6363 Website: www.housing21.co.uk

Housing 21 provides retirement housing and care & support services for older people.

There are 5 extra-care schemes across the borough of Walsall, in Bloxwich West, Aldridge North, Short Heath, Palfrey and Brownhills.

With both rental and shared ownership options, each scheme has been designed for people with a range of abilities and will provide safe and secure accommodation in a caring environment.

There is also a specialist dementia scheme in Goscote.

The areas they cover are listed below 1. Brownhills 2. Aldridge North and Walsall Wood 11. Blakenall 1 12. Palfrey Brownhills 15. Bloxwich West 17. Short Heath 9 2 Pelsall Aldridge North and 10 Walsall Wood 15 Bloxwich Bloxwich East 16 West 8 Willenhall Rushall North 11 and Shelfield Blakenall 14 3 17 Birchills Aldridge Central Short Heath and Leamore 7 and South 18 St. Matthews 19 Bentley Willenhall and South Darlaston North 13 4 Pleck 6 Streetly Paddock 5 Pheasey

20 12 park farm Darlaston Palfrey South

22 Access to Housing Booklet Property Allocation

Property Allocation

Each housing association will look at your application for a home and decide how many points you will be given or what band you will be given based on your circumstances. Points can be given for medical / mobility problems, overcrowding, lack of basic facilities, or social factors.

You may be placed on a waiting list in point or band order. When you come close to the top of the list you may be offered a property.

Sometimes housing associations close their waiting lists if there are too many people waiting for a particular type of property in an area. whg have a system called Choose and Move. Choose and Move is a way for you to choose a home to rent from whg in Bloxwich, Willenhall, Central Walsall, Aldridge & Brownhills and Darlaston.

This scheme is available to anyone aged over 18 (and in certain cases, those aged over 16).

It gives you more control over where you choose to live as you bid for homes as they become available rather than waiting for properties to be allocated to you. whg will advertise it’s homes in their offices and www.whg.uk.com

Don’t miss out on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Free School Meals! Housing benefit helps you pay your rent if you are on a low income. It is based on your and your partner’s income, savings and circumstances and the amount of rent you have to pay. You and your partner’s savings and investments must be less than £16,000, unless you are in receipt of guaranteed pension credit.

If you are of working age and you rent a property from a housing association, size criteria rules will apply. If you are assessed as having more bedrooms in the accommodation than is necessary based on the size of your household, you will be considered to be under-occupying that property. If it has one extra bedroom you will have a reduction in your eligible rent of 14 per cent. If you have two or more this will have a reduction in your eligible rent of 25 per cent. If you rent a property that has extra bedrooms than you need, you may need to make up the difference yourself.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a way of working out housing benefit for people who live in privately rented accommodation. LHA is a flat rate allowance based on the size of the household (not the size of the property) and the area in which a person lives. So if you rent a property with a rent that exceeds your LHA you will need, to make up the difference yourself.

The rules mean that you are allocated one bedroom for: each adult couple any other adult aged 16 or over any two children of the same sex under the age of 16 any two children under the age of 10 regardless of their sex any other child a foster child living with an approved foster carer a carer, who does not live in your property, and who stays overnight to care for you or, if you have one, your partner adult dependent in the Armed Forces away on operations 23 Access to Housing Booklet Chapter heading

You cannot get housing benefit if: You pay rent to a close relative who lives in the same home as you. You own the place where you live.

Council Tax Reduction can lower the amount you pay towards your council tax bill. Council Tax Reduction can be paid in addition to any other reductions in your bill, for example because you live alone. It is based on your and your partner’s income, savings and circumstances and the amount of council tax you have to pay. You and your partner’s savings and investments must be less than £16,000, unless you are in receipt of guaranteed pension credit.

Even if you do not qualify yourself for help from the council tax reduction scheme you may still get help reducing your council tax bill if you have another adult or adults living with you who is on a low income. This is called second adult rebate. To be eligible to claim council tax reduction you must be liable to pay council tax in respect of the dwelling and be resident at the dwelling.

What happens if my circumstances change? It is very important that you let us know immediately if you have a change in your circumstances as you may receive too little or too much benefit.

It is an offence not to tell us about any change of circumstance that affects your benefit. We may take legal action against you and if we pay you too much benefit, you will probably have to pay it back.

You can tell us about any changes by phoning the Benefits Service on 0300 555 2855, writing to the Benefit Service at the address shown or using a change of circumstances form. Examples of the type of changes that you need to report are as follows: If you or your partner go into hospital If you or your partner’s income or savings increase or decrease Starting work or changing employer If wages increase or decrease

Changes affecting people who live with you e.g.: If someone comes to live with you or if someone leaves your household If the income or circumstances of someone living with you changes (e.g. they start work or their Income Support ends)

You can get free school meals for your child or children if you or your partner receives one of the following: Income Support (IS) Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (IB JSA) Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA (IR)) Child Tax Credit (CTC), provided you are on a low income (and not also getting Working Tax Credit) Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Guarantee Credit element of State Pension Credit.

24 Access to Housing Booklet Chapter heading

You can find out more: On our website: www.walsall.gov.uk/benefits. By phoning us on 0300 555 2855 Monday to Thursday 8.45 to 5.15 Friday 8.45 to 4.45 By Text phone on 01922 654000 – for deaf or speech impaired users. By emailing: [email protected] By calling into the First Stop Shop at the Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1XU. First Stop Shop is open: Monday to Thursday 8.45 to 5.15 Friday 8.45 to 4.45

HomeSwapper HomeSwapper is the largest mutual exchange service in the UK and 89% of new members are matched automatically to one or more potential swaps within 24 hours. HomeSwapper are achieving 19000 swaps a year. This service is provided by Housing Partners Limited 2011 on behalf of Housing Associations. The opportunity to find a swap is increased by the fact that:

HomeSwapper has over 236,000 members (as at 09/11/11) and growing. There are 705 participating landlords. Any tenant from any housing association can register. You can swap with tenants of any Housing Association or Council. HomeSwapper covers all of the UK, so you can find swaps locally or nationally. 25000 tenants have exchanged in the last 12 months, 380 of them in Walsall. If you are a tenant you may be able to move by exchanging with another tenant who has the type of home you want in the area you wish to move to.

If you find another tenant who wants to exchange with you, you must get permission from your housing association before you move.

You have the right to exchange with other tenants anywhere in Walsall or even the UK. Housing Associations can only defer or refuse your exchange if you or the person you want to exchange with

has rent arrears is in breach of the tenancy agreement would be moving to a home that would be unsuitable. For example, the home is too large, too small or has medical adaptations that you or they do not need.

HomeSwapper is predominantly a web-based service however, partnering landlords can opt to choose paper application forms, letters and lists to make the service fully accessible. You can join HomeSwapper by visiting: www.HomeSwapper.co.uk or you can contact HomeSwapper via e-mail: [email protected] or by contacting your landlord

25 Access to Housing Booklet Homebuy Agents

Low Cost Home Ownership Whether you are a housing association tenant, Local Authority tenant, Ministry of Defence, key worker or first-time buyer there are a range of schemes available to help you get on the property ladder.

There are many different ways you can get help to buy your own home. Each individual scheme will have its own criteria - so check the details of each scheme with your landlord or the Orbit HomeBuy agent. You may be eligible if you are:

A Housing Association tenant On a housing register, waiting for a housing association home to rent A key worker (eg teacher, police officer, nurse etc) First time buyers who can’t afford to buy outright on the open market A tenant of a local authority Ministry of Defence.

Homebuy Agents HomeBuy is a range of low cost home ownership and discounted market rent products developed to make home ownership more affordable and help you get a foot on the property ladder. Orbit HomeBuy Agents provide a one stop shop service to people interested in any of the HomeBuy products within the West Midlands. You can find out more information about the schemes, and details of how to apply, at their website, www.orbithomebuyagents.co.uk . Alternatively you contact them at:

Orbit HomeBuy Agents Garden Court, Harry Weston Road Binley Business Park, Coventry CV3 2SU

03458 50 20 50 email: [email protected] Website: www.orbithomebuyagents.co.uk

26 Access to Housing Booklet Homebuy Agents

How do I find out who offers shared ownership in Walsall? The majority of the housing associations in Walsall advertise their shared ownership properties through the Orbit Homebuy agents. Contacts for the Homebuy agent are:

0345 850 2050

Website: www.orbithomebuyagents.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Private Renting You may be able to rent a home from a private landlord or letting agency. Private rented accommodation could be:

A self-contained flat or house

A shared house or flat with other tenants, either friends or people you don’t know

A room in your landlord’s house or flat

A bedsit.

Please contact housing standards and improvements 01922 652171 for a booklet outlining things to look for when renting a home.

Private Rented Bond Scheme Walsall Council’s Bond Scheme can assist eligible households into Private Rented Accommodation by offering a Bond in lieu of a deposit. New tenants will have regular visits from the Tenancy Liaison Officer to ensure the tenancy is running smoothly, and they will be expected to save towards their own deposit over two years. To be eligible, you need to be homeless or at risk of homelessness, and referrals need to be made through the Housing Advisors, contactable on 01922 653405. Landlords who are interested in letting their property through the Bond Scheme can get more information from the Bond Scheme Officer (01922 653447) or the Tenancy Liaison officer (01922 653467).

Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) The MLAS aims to accredit good landlords and provide them with the knowledge they require to maintain their properties to an acceptable and appropriate standard, the accreditation scheme recognises landlords who provide their tenants with good quality and safe accommodation.

Email: [email protected] Website: www.mlas-online.co.uk Tel: 0121 414 6438

27 Access to Housing Booklet be...housed Adapted Housing Service

be...housed Adapted Housing Service

If you have a disability or impairment and need to move out of your current home we can help find you another one.

We match available vacant adapted housing to residents of Walsall, who have a disability and are looking to move. If you speak to your Occupational Therapist, GP, Social Worker or Specialist Service, they can recommend you to Walsall Adapted Housing Service. This service is independent of other waiting lists, and brings together over 90% of the Housing Agencies in Walsall. They notify us of any vacant housing that is adapted which can be matched to residents who have a disability.

We have successfully matched many of the properties referred to us and you are welcome as a person with a disability to take advantage of this exclusive service. Your GP, Occupational Therapist or Specialist Service can arrange the necessary forms and put you in touch with us. When a suitable property is matched we will ring you (unless you indicate otherwise on your form) and arrange an appointment with the housing provider.

Occupational Person Assessed Referral Form Therapist or for their needs Completed Specialist Services with their family

Appointment Matched to a Service User signs arranged to vacant property up to tenancy view property at be...housed

You can access a form by going to www.wdfservicesltd.co.uk or

Telephone: 01922 614794 Fax: 01922 614808 Address: _be...housed Adapted Housing Service, Walsall Deaf People’s Centre, 59a Lichfield Road, Walsall, WS4 2BX

Email: [email protected]_

28 Access to Housing Booklet Housing Advice

Housing Advice The housing advice team can talk to you about:

finding accommodation, including renting from private landlord and access to a rent guarantee scheme

preventing homelessness

housing and welfare benefits

understanding your legal rights as a tenant

rent and mortgage arrears

eviction and repossession

domestic abuse

If you own your own house, or are a tenant or Lodger, one simple call to our helpline on 01922 653405 is the first step to begin the process to obtaining the right advice, enabling the housing advisors to assess your situation and give appropriate advice. Please contact us to make an appointment.

Homeless and Housing Advice Service 2nd floor Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 653405 Fax: 01922 653421 Minicom: 01922 652637

Email: [email protected] Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

29 Access to Housing Booklet Prevention Services

Prevention Services The council promotes a range of services to support citizens to live independently in their own home or to find and keep long term accommodation.

Housing related support is one type of service offered, delivered by floating support services or in a citizens home.

Accommodation based support services provided in the home by either your landlord or provider working on behalf of the council.

Floating support is provided to the citizen in their home, however, the support is not permanent and ends when the citizen and Support Provider agree it is no longer needed.

Who can get support? You may get help if you are

a homeless person

a young person in need of support

a person leaving domestic abuse

a person with mental heath issues

a person with a learning disability

an offender or ex offender

someone who needs support to live independently

For a list of all the agencies providing this support in Walsall, please contact:

Supporting People, Goscote House, Goscote Lane, Walsall WS3 1SJ

01922 602433

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.walsall.gov.uk/supporting_people

30 Access to Housing Booklet Useful Telephone Numbers

Useful Telephone Numbers

Housing Associations Council Beechdale Community Housing Adult Social Care and Inclusion, 01922 648252 Initial Contact and Assessment Team 0345 111 2922 Bromford Housing Group 0330 123 4034 Council Tax Enquiries 0345 111 2851 caldmoreaccord 0300 111 7000 Housing Standards and Improvements 01922 652171 Hanover Housing Association 01922 652172 0800 2802575 Homeless and Housing Advice Service Harden Housing Association 01922 653405 0121 457 4600 Prevention Services Heantun Housing Association 01922 602471 01902 57110 0 Benefits Service Housing 21 0345 111 2855 0345 606 6363 Welfare Rights Carers Service Jephson Housing Association 01922 627247 01384 471000 Mercian Housing Association Advice Agencies 0121 322 7373 Citizens Advice Bureau Midland Heart Housing Association 01922 700600 0345 6020 540 Walsall Money Advice Project Nehemiah United Churches Housing Association 01922 623292 0121 358 0966 Brotherhood Welfare & Advice Centre Asra Housing Group 01922 721211 0116 257 6716 National Debtline Walsall Housing Group (whg) 0808 8084000 0300 555 6666 Relate WATMOS Community Homes: 01922 626004

Head Office National Drugs Helpline (116-120 Lichfield St) 01922 471910 0300 776600 The Avenues TMO 01922 427652 Burrows Street TMO 01922 613292 Shelterline Chuckery TMO 01922 644456 0808 800 4444 Delves TMO 01922 720790 Action Today Group (Debt advice) Leamore TMO 01922 493266 0300 0926350 Sandbank TMO 01922 400333 Twin Crescents TMO 01922 682539 Job Centre Plus 0345 6060234

Welfare Rights 01922 627247

Walsall Adapted Housing Services 01922 614794 31 Further copies of this booklet can be obtained from: Housing Services Walsall Council Civic Centre Walsall West Midlands WS1 1TP Tel: 01922 653405 Fax: 01922 652043 Email: [email protected] Website: www.walsall.gov.uk

Revised September 2013 51435 09/13