Crofton Signpost support guide

Housing & Home Support

Find help if you are homeless, worried about losing your home, struggling with rent, looking for housing or dealing with repairs, damp or an unsafe property.

I need urgent housing help Choose my situation

Urgent housing help

Do you have nowhere safe to stay?

Contact Wakefield Council’s Housing Needs Service. You can ask for help if you are already homeless or expect to lose your home within the next eight weeks.

Housing Needs phone linesMonday–Thursday 8:30am–5pm; Friday 8:30am–4:30pm

01924 304360

Alternative Housing Needs numberUse during normal service hours

01924 304362

Emergency out-of-hours serviceUse when offices are closed and no temporary option is available

0345 8 506 506

Wakefield homelessness help ↗

What do you need help with?

Choose the situation closest to yours. You do not need to wait until a problem becomes an emergency before asking for advice.

Homeless or at risk

You have nowhere to stay, are sofa surfing, have been asked to leave or may lose your home soon.

Get urgent housing details →

Rent or housing costs

You have arrears, a benefits shortfall, need help with a deposit or are worried about paying rent.

See help with housing costs →

Vico Homes repairs

You rent from Vico Homes, formerly WDH, and need to report a repair, damp, mould or another tenancy problem.

Find Vico Homes contacts →

Private rented problem

Your landlord has not dealt with unsafe conditions, disrepair, damp, mould or another serious concern.

Private-renting support →

Looking for a home

You want to join the social-housing register, use Homesearch or explore supported and affordable housing.

Ways to find a home →

Unsafe because of abuse

You need confidential advice, safety planning or housing help because of domestic abuse.

Get specialist support →

Finding a home

The right route depends on your circumstances, support needs and the type of housing you are looking for.

Social housing

Apply through Wakefield’s choice-based lettings service, Vico Homesearch. Registered applicants can express an interest in suitable advertised properties.

Complete a Homesearch application
Keep your circumstances updated
Check and bid for suitable homes

Apply for social housing ↗

Affordable housing

Wakefield Council explains local affordable-rent options and how choice-based lettings works.

Affordable rented homes
Eligibility depends on circumstances
Homes are advertised through Homesearch

Explore affordable homes ↗

Supported housing

Housing-related support pathways may help people who need accommodation alongside practical support.

Different pathways have different criteria
A referral may be needed
Housing Needs can explain the route

View support pathways ↗

Repairs, damp and unsafe conditions

Report problems to the right organisation and keep copies of messages, photographs and repair-reference numbers.

Vico Homes tenants

Use your online account to report and track repairs, or call Vico Homes on 0345 8 507 507.

Report or manage a repair ↗

Private tenants

Report the problem to your landlord in writing first. If serious conditions remain unresolved, Wakefield Housing Standards can advise on 01924 306665.

Housing enforcement information ↗

Healthy Housing Pathway

Support may be available for cold or hazardous homes, broken heating, high energy costs, fuel debt or problems with a private landlord.

Healthy Housing help ↗

Help with rent and housing costs

Ask for help early. Rent arrears and benefit shortfalls are usually easier to deal with before they grow or put your tenancy at risk.

Housing Payment

Wakefield’s Crisis and Resilience Fund may help eligible residents with a housing-cost shortfall, removal costs, a rent deposit or rent in advance.

Check Housing Payment help ↗

Vico Homes rent support

Contact Vico Homes as soon as possible if you are struggling to pay. You can view your rent account online or call 0345 8 507 507.

Vico Homes rent information ↗

Benefits and debt advice

A benefits check, budgeting help or debt advice may help protect your home and reduce pressure from other bills.

View Money & Debt Help →

Received an arrears letter or notice? Do not ignore it. Keep the paperwork and get advice quickly from your landlord, Housing Needs, Citizens Advice or Shelter.

Private renting and eviction worries

Private tenants have rights concerning safety, repairs, rent and eviction. Get individual advice before making a decision that could affect your tenancy.

Problems with a private landlord

Keep a written record and report repairs to your landlord or agent. Wakefield Council can investigate serious hazards and housing-standard concerns.

Damp, mould and excess cold
Unsafe electrics, heating or structure
Serious unresolved repairs
Concerns about property standards

Contact Housing Standards ↗

Have you been asked to leave?

Get advice immediately, even if the date on a notice is weeks away. A notice does not usually mean a landlord can make you leave straight away.

Wakefield Housing Needs can help before you become homeless. Citizens Advice and Shelter can explain your rights and check the paperwork.

Read current renters’ rights ↗

Is your home unsafe because of domestic abuse?

You can ask for confidential support, safety planning and housing advice. Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, controlling or coercive.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak on a mobile call, press 55 when prompted.

Wakefield domestic-abuse support ↗

Independent housing advice

These organisations can help you understand your rights and options. Crofton Signpost does not make housing decisions or provide accommodation.

Wakefield Citizens Advice

Free, confidential and impartial advice about housing, benefits, debt and related problems. Adviceline: 0808 812 7134.

Get housing advice ↗

Shelter England

Specialist online and telephone advice for homelessness, eviction, unsafe housing and housing rights. Shelter does not provide accommodation.

Visit Shelter’s helpline page ↗

StreetLink

Send an alert if you are sleeping rough or are concerned about an adult sleeping rough, so local outreach services can try to offer support.

Make a StreetLink alert ↗

Common questions

Quick answers to help you decide what to do next.

Do I have to be sleeping on the street to get homelessness help?

No. Contact Wakefield Housing Needs if you have nowhere reasonable to stay, are sofa surfing, have been asked to leave or expect to become homeless within eight weeks.

Can Crofton Signpost find me a council house?

No. Crofton Signpost provides information and signposting. Social-housing applications and decisions are handled through Vico Homesearch and the relevant housing providers.

What should I do with an eviction notice?

Keep the notice and get advice immediately from Housing Needs, Citizens Advice or Shelter. Do not assume you must leave on the date shown without first understanding the notice and your rights.

Who should I contact about damp or mould?

Vico Homes tenants should report it to Vico Homes. Private tenants should report it to their landlord in writing, then contact Wakefield Housing Standards if a serious problem is not resolved. The Healthy Housing Pathway may also help.

Can I get help with a deposit or rent in advance?

Wakefield’s Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment can help some eligible residents with rent deposits, rent in advance, removal costs or a housing-cost shortfall. It is a limited fund and eligibility rules apply.

What if I cannot safely browse domestic-abuse information?

Use a safe device if possible and consider clearing your browser history. In an emergency call 999. The Wakefield support line can discuss safe ways to contact you.

Still not sure where to start?

Use the Need Help page to explore other support, or contact Crofton Signpost and tell us briefly what you are looking for. We will try to point you towards the right organisation.

Visit Need Help Contact Crofton Signpost