9:00am Monday 15th March 2010
By Julie Magee
FAMILIES facing homelessness could be turned away from a charity’s doors following claims that Bournemouth council is planning to cut funding for the free service.
Specialist advisors at Shelter Dorset dealt with almost 3,000 cases last year as redundancies and the recession took their toll on already stretched finances.
But Bournemouth-based manager Kate Parker told the Daily Echo that £86,000 a year council funding for the charity’s housing advice service is to be withdrawn from this autumn.
She said: “Shelter Dorset costs more than £500,000 to run each year so losing £86,000 will create a massive hole in our finances.
“We are dealing with a record number of calls and the fall-out from the recession is likely to last for some time. Housing and debt problems are across the board; our clients range in age from 16 to 80.
“Losing council support is a big blow for us but they have their own financial pressures at this time. They are the only council in Dorset that has supported our work during the past seven years. Without their help we can’t afford to run a proper service.”
“Some letting agencies locally are now asking for up to £2,500 in rent and fees up front to secure accommodation. Families with already stretched finances can’t afford that kind of money.”
Shelter’s solicitor Catherine Hose, who specialises in housing, said: “We have come across people who have been so desperate they have used their credit cards to pay their rent.
“One man decided to take out a high-interest loan on the internet to pay off his rent arrears; fortunately he got in touch with us on the day he was due to be evicted and we were able to offer him help before it was too late.
“People with debt or housing problems should seek advice as soon as possible. It’s only when a bailiff arrives on your doorstep that it’s too late to stop being evicted.”
Bournemouth council’s strategic housing service manager Lorraine Mealings said: “As part of the council’s necessary budget savings over the next two years strategic housing, along with every department within the council, has had to identify savings.
“Our contract with Shelter to deliver independent homeless prevention service was included as one possible service that could be a potential saving.
“However this has not yet been agreed.”
• Shelter can be contacted on 0344 515 1400.
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