One of the following:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Driving licence photo card
- National Insurance Card
- Proof of immigration status
Housing Options
The Housing Options Team provides advice about housing and homelessness. The Team plays a major part in the delivery of the Council's Homelessness Strategy. If you would like to speak to the Housing Options Team please call 01283 508120 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. For homelessness emergencies - where you are homeless now - see the heading on Emergency Homelessness below.
For homelessness advice you can also email us at HousingOptions@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk and we will aim to respond the same working day. If you are or see a Rough Sleeper please call 0800 130 3415. The YMCA’s dedicated Outreach Team is available 24 hours a day, if for any reason there is no answer please leave a voicemail with your contact details.
Emergency Homelessness
For an emergency occurring outside office hours please call 01283 508126 but please do not call this number unless you are actually homeless now as it is only for responding to emergencies. If you have somewhere to stay tonight and simply need advice or are concerned about future homelessness then please wait until normal office hours and ring 01283 508120 in order to keep the out-of-hours number free for people who are homeless today.
How we can help you
The Housing Options Team can assess what your housing needs are and can give you housing advice on the next steps. This includes situations where there is a risk you will become homeless within 56 days.
The Homelessness Reduction Act (2017) changed the law in 2018 and means councils must give more help to homeless people.
More details on how we can help the following:
Housing Options Team
Proof of identity
Evidence of why you are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Tenancy agreement
- Notice to Quit
- Notice of Possession
- Mortgage statement or most recent correspondence from the lender
- Court orders or details of court proceedings
- Letter from parents/friends/relatives saying you have to leave
Proof of income
- Income details
- Bank statements
- Entitlement to benefits
- Mortgage agreement
- Secured loan(s) agreements
Other evidence of your circumstances
- Name, address and telephone number of your landlord/managing agent
- Birth certificate of your partners/children
- Marriage certificate
- Child Benefit/Tax Credit letter/book
- Residence order from the court
- Wage slips
- Details of previous addresses
- Details of social workers/support workers
- Proof of pregnancy
- Relevant medical information
Improving Homelessness Services - Sharing Your Data
The Council has agreed to take part in a piece of research for the Government. Several Councils are participating. The purpose of the research is to test the approach of Councils to dealing with homelessness.
It means we will be sharing your data, but it won’t be used to identify you and it won’t affect any benefits you are receiving.
There is some more information below, and you can opt out by just letting us know.
Please email HousingOptions@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk if you would like to opt out.
How are we using your information?
If you or someone in your household completes an assessment to receive advice and assistance from the Council we will share some of your personal information with the Department for Communities and Local Government for research purposes.
How will this affect me?
It will not affect your benefits, services or any treatment that you get. Your information will be made anonymous and handled with care in accordance with the law.
Why is my information being shared?
We are sharing your information to help improve the services your household and other households receive in the future.