MORE than 100 individuals or families have been saved from losing their homes since last April thanks to action taken by Fenland District Council and its partners.

Help for those at risk has included giving advice on managing debts and budgeting and negotiating in court with landlords and lenders to agree debt repayment plans.

It has also involved home visits to discuss rent arrears, mediation and providing deposits for single homeless people to enable them to access private sector housing.

FDC’s Housing Options team works with other organisations such as Roddons Housing Association and the Citizens Advice Bureau to come to the rescue of people who find themselves in danger of becoming homeless.

Councillor Kit Owen, FDC’s portfolio holder responsible for housing, said: “Without our joint interventions 102 families or individuals would have found themselves in a terrible position.

“Not only has this helped them to maintain a stable, secure family life, it has also enabled us to make savings on bed and breakfast accommodation that we would otherwise have had to pay for.

“Unfortunately, many people leave it far too late before seeking any assistance. Our message is ‘if you’ve got problems with debts or mortgage repayments, don’t ignore them and hope they’ll just go away because the chances are they won’t. Come and talk to us or the CAB, so that we can advise you on the best way of tackling them’.”

• To contact FDC’s Housing Options team, e-mail housingoptions@fenland.gov.uk or call them on 01354 654321. For the Citizens Advice Bureau call 01945 464367 or e-mail bureau@fenlandcab.cabnet.org.uk