New service to help city’s homeless

York’s Homelessness Prevention Service will provide practical help to people who face losing their home through financial or housing related difficulties.

Homelessness in the city has increased by 40 per cent according to the latest figures released by the Local Government Association. Last year York Council dealt with 183 cases of homelessness - an increase of 53 on the previous year.

The service, which is being run on behalf of York Council by York Housing Association, was launched at the city’s National Railway Museum yesterday.

It is available to people in private rented housing, social housing and leaseholders, as well as people with a mortgage, and will see staff visit people in their own homes to identify the support they need.

Kate Spencer, operations director at York Housing Association, said: “Our team will be providing people with free support on a range of issues including helping to resolve financial problems, dealing with mortgage and rent arrears, maximising benefits and even help with finding employment.