New service to help struggling households » Housing » 24dash.com

Bradford Council has been chosen as a 'trailblazer' to help struggling households beat the credit crunch.

Bradford has been chosen as a pilot area for a new scheme to help families in the district escape the poverty trap.

The new Housing Options service will combine expert housing advice with employment and skills training to help unemployed people find work and sort out housing difficulties.

Funding for the scheme, which is yet to be determined, is in addition to the Council's £250,000 working neighbourhoods fund which will also help to improve housing services.

It means that people who find themselves facing repossession or homelessness will get the advice they need before their situation reaches crisis point. It should help people in all situations, including working families, single mothers and fathers who find themselves cut off from the family home.

Coun Adrian Naylor, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: "This announcement is particularly timely for people who are having difficulties with housing and employment due to the current economic climate.

"This could make the difference between losing a home and saving it. With the right information at the right time, people can make the right choices about their home and work situation and escape the crisis situations of homelessness or unemployment."

The service will be developed in close partnership with Incommunities and will start in April 2009.

Paul Webley, Incommunities' Director of Business Development, said: "We welcome this news. Being chosen as a 'trailblazer' will enable the housing and homelessness service to work closely with the Council to provide valueable advice for households facing challenges during these difficult economic times."

Until the new service is set up, advice on homelessness and housing advice services continues to be available from Britannia House, Bradford, or by telephoning 0845 1208160 (Bradford); 0845 1208162 (Keighley); 0845 1208161 (Shipley) or logging onto www.incommunities.co.uk/Help-for-the-Homeless.html