Eastbourne advice centre remains open through lockdown

A centre in Eastbourne offering advice to vulnerable people within the community is staying open throughout lockdown.
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Brighton Housing Trust, based on St Leonard’s road, will remain open despite the UK-wide lockdown - expected to run until December 2.

The centre provides specialist housing and benefits advice to people in the community. By continuing to offer this support - the organisation says more people can stay in their homes.

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Last year the trust’s advice centres - in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings - prevented 927 households from becoming homeless. While their offices are not currently open for drop-in appointments, they are providing their usual advice by telephone, email and other media.

Advice can still be offered over the phone, via email, and other media. SUS-201011-125347001Advice can still be offered over the phone, via email, and other media. SUS-201011-125347001
Advice can still be offered over the phone, via email, and other media. SUS-201011-125347001

The Community Justice Fund has given the trust financial support to enable the advice services to continue at this time, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. Contributors to the fund include the Access to Justice Foundation, the AB Charitable Trust, and the Law Society.

Just in the last few weeks the centres have prevented three families from becoming homeless by providing advice when they were threatened with eviction and went on to represent the families in court.

The trust helped Sarah, a single mother who had been battling some personal issues. She was threatened with eviction which could potentially undermine all the progress she had made in getting her life back on track. Advisers successfully secured Discretionary Housing Payments from the Local Authority - allowing Sarah to manage her debt, have ongoing support, and stay in her home.

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Sue Hennell, the trust’s senior advice manager, said, “Every week our advisers help families and individuals facing eviction to keep their homes.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Community Justice Fund and its contributors, which has enabled us to continue this work in difficult times and prevent homelessness for so many people.

“Becoming homeless has a huge impact on all family members. For children, a move to temporary accommodation can mean changing schools and can have a significant impact on their life chances. This is why we work so hard to end homelessness before it begins.”

During these challenging times, many people are facing new financial pressures, and having access to quality, independent advice can make all the difference.

Anyone worried about losing their home are being told to get advice as soon as possible. People can call the Eastbourne advice centre on 01323 642615 or visit bht.org.uk

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