It is not unusual to be homeless and experience poor mental health.
The Housing Options Team works closely with mental health support services to prevent you from becoming homeless and to ensure you receive the advice and support to help you improve your health and sustain housing.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact The Access Team on: 0808 196 3002 which is an urgent NHS mental health helpline.
If you are homeless, and experience poor mental health, the Housing Options Teams will take this into consideration when providing you with housing advice and assistance.
We may ask questions about any support or medication that you receive for your mental health and we may ask to speak to other professionals who are supporting you.
If you are homeless, we will consider whether you are vulnerable and in ‘priority need’ as a result of your mental health when assessing our duty to provide you with emergency accommodation.
We will provide information about the advice and advocacy services available to you and provide detail of outreach support services and supported accommodation options according to your needs through your Personalised Housing Plan.
You may also feel that your mental health is impacted by substance misuse. It is important that health professionals working with you provide you with advice and assistance that address both your mental health and substance misuse together (known as co-occurring or dual diagnosis).
Housing Advice
The Housing Options Team can provide you with a full housing need assessment and advice on options in the Borough.
Homes Plus own the majority of social housing stock in Stafford Borough and you can register directly with them on their website (homesplus.co.uk).
The Housing Options Team are able to refer you into general needs housing, which includes low level supported accommodation. If you have specialist health needs, you will need to contact your health professional to see what options are available to you.
You should ask your health professional whether you are entitled to Section 117 aftercare (rethink.org) which may include housing or support and care to help you sustain accommodation.
Support
Access Team, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust
Urgent NHS Mental Health Helpline
Tel: 0808 196 3002
MIND
Free counselling, anger management, befriending and parent support
Tel: 01782 262100 (Mon-Fri, 9am - 6pm)
Rethink
Supported Accommodation for people affected by mental illness
Tel: 01785 610555
Email: SAHMS@rethink.org.uk
Samaritans
Provide telephone and online support
Tel: 116 123 (Open 24/7)
Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends
Supported accommodation for people affected by mental illness
Tel: 01785 250625
Housing Services - Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Services
NHS service that provides support and treatment that improve emotional wellbeing
Tel: 0300 303 0923
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies
STARS (Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Services)
Telephone and in person services for people who need help with drug or alcohol misuse
Tel: 01785 270080
Email: starswest@mpft.nhs.uk
Young Minds
Helpline for young people, parents or carers with mental health concerns
Tel: 0808 802 5544
Contact us
The Housing Options Team, based at Stafford Borough Council, can provide you with advice on your housing needs and explain what options are available to you.
Tel: 01785 619000
Email: housingadvice@staffordbc.gov.uk
If you are homeless and the council offices are closed, then you can contact the homelessness out of hours service on 01785 619170.
You should only use this service if you have nowhere to stay immediately.