Oldhamers at higher risk of losing homes

OLDHAM has one of the highest rates in the North-West for people at risk of losing their homes.

The borough had 1,298 mortgage and landlord possession claims — the first stage of someone losing their home — in the year to April; the fourth-highest in the North-West and 32nd highest in the UK, says homeless charity Shelter. One in 69 Oldham homeowners are at risk of losing their home.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: “These figures show just how many families in the North-West go through the trauma of learning that their home is at risk, every single week.

“Just one thing, such as a job loss or serious illness, can tip any of us into a downward spiral that puts our home at risk.”

Salford is at the top of the home-loss risk-list, followed by Manchester, Halton and Oldham. Visit www.shelter.org. uk/advic e or call Shelter’s free helpline on 0808 800 4444 if you are in danger of losing your home.