Advice for Homeless People

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) in partnership with Bromsgrove and District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) carry out the homelessness functions and provide housing advice in Bromsgrove District on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council.

If you would like to discuss your housing options with an officer at BDHT you can contact them on 01527 557557 or alternatively they can be accessed directly at:

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust
Buntsford Court
Bromsgrove
B60 3DJ

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday - 8.30 - 5.30pm
Friday - 8.30 - 4pm

An officer will be available to discuss your personal circumstances and arrange a housing options interview as soon as possible based on your need and availability.

If you have become homeless and have nowhere to stay out of office hours you can ring the:

Freephone number: 0800 030 4254

where an officer will ring you back and discuss your personal circumstances and give you relevant housing advice about what your options are.  You will also be advised to attend the BDHT offices when possible for further support with your housing situation.

When looking at homelessness applications, BDHT have to consider the following criteria.  This information is only meant to serve as a guide to help you understand the complicated homelessness legislation.

Are you Eligible?

Not everyone who is homeless is eligible for help with housing.  If you are a British Citizen, a European Economic Area national or a settled person you are likely to be eligible.

Are you Homeless?

If you are homeless or threatened with homeless within 28 days, where you will have no place that you can occupy.

Are you in Priority Need?

You may have a priority need if your circumstances are such that they would make you more vulnerable or disadvantaged if you were homeless.  These can include:

Households with dependent children
Pregnant women
16-17 year olds
Those who are deemed to be vulnerable due to: old age, mental or physical illness, suffering violence, or with an institutional background such as being in case, the army or prison.

Have you made yourself Homeless?

You will be seen to have made yourself intentionally homeless if

You deliberately gave up accommodation that would have been reasonable for you to continue to occupy.
You deliberately did something, or failed to do something, which you knew would mean losing your accommodation, for example; due to non payment of rent or anti social behaviour.
You made arrangements to stay in accommodation on an insecure basis which gave you no legal rights, with the intention of making a homelessness application.
You failed to act on legal/financial, advice/assistance that you have been given to help you find alternative suitable accommodation or to help you stay in your home.

Do you have a Local Connection to Bromsgrove District?

We will be looking to see if you have a local connection within our area, this usually includes the following:

That you have lived in settled accommodation in our area for a minimum of 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years.
That you have permanent employment here or
That you have a close family member that has lived in the area for more than 5 years.

What Happens if You Are Entitled to Assistance?

If after enquiries you are deemed to be homeless, in priority need, unintentionally homeless and have a local connection then BDHT as agents of Bromsgrove District Council, has a duty to ensure accommodation is available to you until you receive an offer of housing from a housing association or you find other accommodation in the private sector.

If suitable accommodation is available in the District, you will be provided with advice and assistance to help you secure the accommodation. You can contact BDHT for more information.

The accommodation you are given will depend on your circumstances and availability. If BDHT accepts that the Council has a duty to provide temporary accommodation you will also be entitled to go on the Housing Register.

If you are homeless you may also be able to get advice of what options are available to you from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Documents

Homeless, what happens next?  (247.02 KB)

Homeless, emergency accommodation in Bromsgrove District  (236.89 KB)

Homeless, the right to review  (239.13 KB)