Council launches new drive against homelessness (From Halesowen News)

Council launches new drive against homelessness

7:20am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News

Sandwell Council is marking World Homeless Day by launching a new drive to stop people losing their homes.

The council said it wants people who find themselves in debt and struggling to meet rent or mortgage payments to contact it.

World Homeless Day is expected to be marked by millions of people worldwide today.

Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: "Our new strategy will support the work of local voluntary sector organisations to provide local services for homeless people living in our communities.

"We will deliver services to help homeless people off our streets and I urge local communities to contact our Housing Options Service if they know of anyone sleeping rough or a risk of becoming homeless.”

The service offers money advice and a range of services to help homeowners and people renting their homes.

Last year, 4,797 households approached the council's Housing Options Service.

Many were seeking housing advice.

However, 2,932 were in ‘housing need’ and the service prevented 776 households from becoming homeless by using a range of services to help people remain in their home.

The service supported a further 1,681 households to find and settle into new homes.

Call the Housing Options Service on 0121 569 6000.