Directory: Housing Support

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough on the streets, there are some local organisations that can give advice.

ELIM Connect (based at Wells) 01749 677097 has an outreach team. They have a 6 bed provision for the whole of Mendip which provides up to 7 nights’ accommodation, as part of a stepping stone arrangement into other accommodation.

They also have a drop-in surgery for people who are sleeping rough, see days/times below all held a the ELIM centre.

• Monday: Breakfast drop 9am to 11am
• Wednesday: Community lunch 12 noon to 2pm
• Friday: Soup kitchen 3pm to 5pm

Somerset Council Access Points

If you need in-person help or advice from Somerset Council you can find support at every Somerset library. More complex questions will be passed onto the appropriate Somerset Council team.

Homelessness support and advice for young people from YMCA Mendip. 

Young people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness can access support by calling 01749 679553 or visiting the YMCA website.

Below Zero Degrees

An emergency shelter is opened in Mendip when the temperature reaches or is expected to fall below 0 degrees for three consecutive nights. Please contact the places above for details.

Food Banks and CAB – please search the directory for Food Banks and select your area.

Homefinder Somerset is a choice based lettings scheme allowing people to apply for social housing in Somerset.

We match someone who needs a little help to stay living independently in their own home, with someone needing somewhere affordable to live.

In return for low cost accommodation, the Homesharer provides at least 10 hours of support a week to the Householder. This is not becoming a personal carer, but more about a little help around the house.

We work with a variety of statutory and voluntary agencies to offer, complete and co-ordinated housing options advice service. Our aim is to ensure our customers have a full range of housing options.
Write to us: Housing Options Team, Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5BT or visit in person.
Open: Monday to Friday 8:30am-5.00pm – please note we will be unable to see you if you arrive later than 4.30pm.
Further information about all council services is available on our website: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/housing

Council information points:
Glastonbury: The Library, 1 Orchard Court, Archers Way, Glastonbury BA6 9JB. Open: 10.00am-4.30pm Monday Tuesday & Thursday. Closed from 1.00pm-2.00pm for lunch. 10.00am-1.00pm Friday
Street: Crispin Community Centre, Leigh Road, Street BA16 0HA. Open: 10.00am-4.30pm Closed between 1.00pm-2.00pm for lunch. Monday, Wednesday & Thursday.
Wells: Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells BA5 2RB. Open: Tuesday, Wed and Friday 10.00am-4.30pm. Closed for lunch between 1.00-2.00pm.
Frome:  The Library, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE. Open: 9:30am-4:30pm Closed between 1.00pm-2.00pm for lunch. Monday to Friday.
Shepton Mallet: Housing Options office offer drop in sessions Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm.

YMCA Mendip with its main base in Wells, covers the whole of the Mendip area – Frome, Shepton Mallet, Street, Glastonbury, Wells and surrounding villages.  Our project work provides a range of services for young people, with an emphasis on housing and homelessness, helping them to grow in confidence, develop as individuals and realise their full potential.
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A service for 16-25 year olds provided in partnership with the YMCA and housing consortium.  For the Mendip area please see phone number and email address below.

Private Sector Housing Team, Mendip District Council

Our role is to ensure that all properties are safe to live in, whether they are owner occupied or rented privately or through a housing association. We offer grants and loans to adapt homes for disabled people, complete essential repairs and bring empty homes back into use.  We respond to housing condition complaints, carryout inspections and work with landlords and property owners to ensure homes are improved and repairs completed.  We have a variety of enforcement powers available to ensure homes are free from serious hazards and we commonly use these to deal with issues such as cold, damp and mould, risk of falls and fire safety.  We also licence houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and mobile home sites and offer general advice on housing standards.

If you are a property owner in need of assistance or a tenant having a problem getting your landlord to carry out repairs then contact us as we may be able to help.

Council information points:
Glastonbury: The Library, 1 Orchard Court, Archers Way, Glastonbury BA6 9JB. Open: 10am – 4.30pm Monday Tuesday & Thursday, 10am – 1pm Friday. Closed each day beween 1-2pm.
Street: Crispin Community Centre, Leigh Road, Street BA16 0HA. Open: 10am – 4.30pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday. Closed each day beween 1-2pm.
Wells: Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells BA5 2RB. Open: 10am – 4.30pm Tuesday, 10am – 4:30pm Wednesday & Friday. Closed each day beween 1-2pm.
Frome:  The Library, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE. Open: 9:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday. Closed each day beween 1-2pm.
Shepton Mallet: The Council Offices and Shape Mendip: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

CONTACT DETAILS
Private Sector Housing, Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT.

To report someone sleeping rough, call the number below, calls are confidential. We aim to visit people referred to the service within 2 working days. Please provide as much detail as possible about the individual to help us make contact with them.

Support and housing service for adults in Somerset who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and also have a mix of mental health needs, drug and alcohol problems, behavioural issues, debt or have been involved in the criminal justice system.

Step Together is primarily about helping people to live fulfilling lives in their own communities, retain their tenancy and reduce repeated homelessness.

Please visit the website below for more information & to make contact.

The Furniture Storehouse can provide good quality furniture to those in need. They can usually provide items such as beds, tables, chairs, sofas and white goods. The Storehouse receives referrals from local agencies for people with limited financial resources who need basic items of furniture.

Wells Foodbank and Furniture Storehouse, Unit 2, Keward Mill Trading Estate, Jocelyn Drive, Wells  BA5 1DA

Windsor Hill Wood is a small family based woodland community close to Shepton Mallet. The project offers refuge to people who are finding life difficult and may be experiencing depression or addiction issues. Some have been homeless; others have lost confidence and need respite to regain self worth, learn new skills and feel able to contribute to the community and the wider world. As a Christian home offering hospitality, part of rhythm of life includes the opportunity to pray silently together once a day in a small chapel – however attendance is optional. Please get in touch using the details below if you or someone you know could benefit from staying at Windsor Hill Wood.

Youth With A Future (YWAF) work alongside other organisations to support young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or threatened with homelessness and those in supported housing projects in the Mendip area of Somerset and also supports local positive youth initiatives and activities.