Four steps from first contact to move-in, and what you can expect from us at each stage.
A referral partner gets in touch, usually by email or phone. We talk through what they know about the person: their housing needs, which languages they speak, where in Birmingham they would prefer to be, and how urgently they need to move. We ask questions. We do not work from a form alone.
We work through referral partners — charities and refugee organisations. If you are supporting someone through this transition and think we might be able to help, please do reach out.
We work with managing agents we know to find a suitable property. We think about more than availability. Is the property in decent condition and well managed? Does it suit this particular person? Is there a mosque nearby, or a church, a supermarket, a GP surgery? These things shape whether a placement actually works, and we try to get them right before making an introduction.
Some placements do not come together on the first attempt. We would rather take the time to find something right than push a poor match through.
We help with the practicalities of moving in. The tenancy agreement, the housing benefit application, the council tax exemption, and an introduction to the property and the immediate area. Getting these things in place from the start makes a real difference to how the first few months go.
We keep a point of contact for the first few months after move-in. A check-in in the first week, a follow-up at week four, and again at week twelve. It is not a formal support programme. It is simply making sure someone has a number to call if something goes wrong, during a period when small problems have a way of becoming much larger ones if nobody is paying attention.
The people we work with have often been through a lot by the time they reach this point. Having someone to call, and knowing that call will be answered, matters more than it might sound.
When you refer someone to us, we will come back to you the same day or the next working day. We will keep you updated at the key points — when we have a property in view, when a move-in is confirmed, and after our first check-in. You should not need to chase us for updates.
We understand that when you make a referral, you are trusting us with someone you have been supporting. We take that seriously. If something does not go as planned, we would rather hear about it early and do what we can to help.
The person's name and contact details
An outline of their situation and any housing needs
Any preferences for location within Birmingham
How urgently they need to move
Your name, organisation, and direct contact number
If you do not have everything, send what you have. We will ask follow-up questions.
