Help available for those at risk of losing homes

More and more people have been asking for assistance in the past year to stop themselves being made homeless.

They have visited Arun District Council’s housing options team and calling in to Bognor Regis Town Hall to find out what to do.

The team also handle more than 15,000 calls a year from customers who don’t know where else to turn.

Cllr Roger Elkins, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Unfortunately, the economic climate is such that more and more people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“People might not necessarily think to turn to their local council for help, especially if they are not a council tenant, but there’s a lot of help we are able to give.

“Of the thousands of people our dedicated team help every year, we manage to keep 97 per cent of them in their homes or find them suitable alternative accommodation.”

The council has stressed that being made homeless can happen to anyone. And that anyone can ask for help.

They could be privately renting their homes, council tenants, homeowners or people who find themsleves living with family and friends because they have nowhere else to go.

It is important, however, that those who need help start to seek it as soon as possible.

Dedicated housing options officers at the council run drop-in sessions at the town hall and the Arun Civic Centre in Littlehamptopn during the week. No appointment is needed.