Extra help to hang on to homes

Date published: 29 March 2010

More Oldham people at risk of losing their homes to repossession will be helped by £46,000 funding from Government.

The council has been given additional money to provide support and services for people at risk of repossession and homelessness.

It is the latest initiative to help struggling householders in Oldham including becoming a “fast track” authority for the Government’s mortgage rescue scheme, and implementing a county court desk service for people facing repossession hearings, used by 219 families.

The desk led to 91 per cent of users having their repossession stopped.

A local debt advice freephone number was used by 146 residents.

The Citizens’ Advice Bureau has recently opened twice as a pilot on a Saturday mornings, offering housing and debt advice to people whose work prevents them getting there during the week.