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14 Aug JOINT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS IN CORNWALL

Posted at 13:19h in Uncategorized by

Citizens Advice Cornwall has joined forces with Cornwall Council to encourage people who face losing their home to get help at the earliest possible opportunity.

The online and video campaign highlights the help available from the council’s Housing Options Team to prevent a notice of eviction or falling behind on rents becoming a crisis that could lead to homelessness.

Citizens Advice Cornwall Chief Executive, Jon Berg, said:

“We want to get this important message across to try and relieve the pressure on temporary accommodation and reduce the number of people having to live in hotel rooms and B&Bs or having to sofa surf with friends and relatives.

“At Citizens Advice we often see people who have delayed getting help until the last minute when their options are severely reduced.”

Cllr Peter La Broy, Cornwall Council lead member for housing, said:

“We are committed to providing support to our residents threatened with homelessness as well as those who have become homeless. Cornwall has faced extreme pressures on the availability of housing over recent years and we sympathise with the position that some residents are finding themselves in.

“If you are facing homelessness, please get in touch with us as early as possible so that we can try and help prevent it happening. You do not need to wait until you are homeless to access council support and advice.“

Cornwall Council support for those facing homelessness includes:

  • Online Housing Advice, including how to solve problems affecting your housing situation such as what to do if you have been asked to leave your property, how you can find somewhere else to live and how the council can help you. See www.cornwall.adviceaid.uk/start
  • Nos Da Kernow for people able to stay in their homes for the next 56 days who are insecurely housed but have not yet given a date to leave; in a tenancy and do not have a notice to leave but are at risk of being issued one; worried about an aspect of their housing situation which may lead to losing it; sofa surfing or living with friends or family on a temporary basis; worried about the affordability of current housing or already in arrears; problems with the landlord; struggling to maintain accommodation due to mental or physical health issues; going through a relationship breakdown or living in unsuitable accommodation.

Nos Da Kernow can be contacted through Cornwall Council’s website www.cornwall.gov.uk/NosDaKernow or on 01872 324206.

  • Supportmatch Homeshare – links single people looking for a home with people who have a spare room to let. See cornwall.gov.uk for details.

Citizens Advice Cornwall offers free, independent and confidential advice on housing and landlord-tenant relations and a wide range of other issues such as benefits claims and debt.

To speak to an adviser call free on 0808-812-7156 Mondays to Fridays 10am to 4pm.