Leicester council recruits five to help people at risk of homelessness

Benefit changes and high private-sector rents are being blamed for a rise in the number of people worried they might lose their home in the city.

An increase in demand has led to Leicester City Council taking on extra staff to deal with the issue.

Five new members will joint the authority’s homeless prevention team based at the customer service centre on Granby Street.

They will join 13 existing staff that are already providing advice on benefits available to people, help with budgeting or dealing with debts and supporting people in speaking to their landlord or dealing with eviction notices.

It is estimated that nearly 5,000 city households will ask for help in the 2018/19 financial year.

If officers can’t help someone to stay in their existing home, they will try to help them find alternative accommodation.

In 2017/18 the team prevented more than 3,600 households from becoming homeless.

Councillor Andy Connelly, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “Like other cities we are trying to cope with the effects of benefit changes, high private-sector rents, and a lack of affordable housing.

“All of these factors, and the Government’s Right to Buy scheme mean that more people than ever before are facing homelessness.

“It’s very important that people contact us at the earliest opportunity, if they think they may need help to avoid losing their homes. The sooner they speak to us, the more chance we have of helping them.”

Since 2014/15 the number of households asking for help from the city council when they are homeless, or to prevent them from losing their homes has increased every year, up from 2,163 households in 2014/15 to 4,053 in 2017/18.

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We have a wide range of services to help people who are homeless, but preventing homelessness in the first place is one our main priorities.

“I’m very pleased to welcome these new officers who will be providing a much-needed service to the people of Leicester.”

City residents needing advice can contact the housing options team by calling 0116 454 1008, or by visiting the customer service centre at 90, Granby Street.

The city council spends more than £5 million a year on homelessness services. Funding for the new staff came from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.