Residents in Sandwell are being reminded that the council offers help to anyone at risk of homelessness or in need of benefit advice.

Sandwell Council’s Welfare Rights Income and Money Advice Line has helped 1,700 families claim almost £2million of assistance since April this year.

And to mark World Homeless Day tomorrow, people facing homelessness are being urged to use the advice line to get help to avoid losing their home or tenancy.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which came into force on 3 April 2018, placed new duties on housing authorities including the requirement to intervene early to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for homes, Councillor Joanne Hadley, said:

“We recognise that advising and supporting someone who faces losing their home is key to preventing homelessness. The earlier we can connect with people, the better chance we have to solve the financial issues that can lead to homelessness.

“Our Welfare Rights and Money Advice line is open to anyone – from council tenants and private renters to people with a mortgage. The team provides basic debt advice, benefits advice including claiming benefits and money management advice.”

The team can be contacted by emailing welfarerights_team@sandwell.gov.uk or by calling 0121 569 3158 (9.30am and 12.30pm, Monday to Friday).