New local project aimed at helping keep people in their homes opens its doors
30 April 2010
A new combined Housing, Money and Debt Advice Project, provided by Shelter Scotland, which aims to help people struggling with money problems avoid losing their homes, has opened its doors locally.
The new initiative means the housing and homelessness charity can support individuals and families with both housing and money problems and will work to help tackle debt issues and prevent homelessness.
The project will cover eviction and repossession cases calling in the Tayside Sheriff Courts of Arbroath, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Alloa and Falkirk.
The project, funded by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, aims to enable people to stay in their homes and avoid the nightmare of homelessness at a time when 53,000 repossessions are predicted across the UK this year.
The housing charity’s money advisers aim to help prevent people losing their homes by:
- Exploring all options in order to prevent unnecessary bankruptcies
- Helping people to maximise their income and better manage their finances
- Negotiating with lenders to reduce debt levels and make payment plans.
And the housing charity’s solicitors will provide legal representation and advice on:
- Repossession (for non payment of mortgages)
- Eviction (for non- payment of rent) and
- Negotiating debt re-payment plans.
Martin Wilkie-McFarlane, manager at Shelter Scotland’s Tayside Debt Advice Project, said: “We are delighted the Scottish Legal Aid Board has provided funding for this new project. This means Shelter Scotland can work to help more people avoid losing their homes at a time when many across Tayside are feeling the impact of the recession.
'Homelessness can happen to anyone and can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Our new project aims to help prevent individuals and families from suffering the upheaval and distress of repossession or eviction.
'We would urge anyone facing financial difficulties who is worried about losing their home to get in touch with us on 0344 515 2527 or email Tayside@shelter.org.uk.'
Mr Lindsay Montgomery CBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, commented: 'This funding opens up access to justice for more people and means that they will be able to get targeted advice to help them deal with their legal problems, in particular issues on housing and debt. We know that the majority of repossession cases are not defended and that even where homeowners do take action to try to keep their homes, many go unrepresented or don’t turn up at court. In many cases early resolution of the problem might have meant avoidance of court altogether. We also know that helping someone avoid repossession does not always end their problems and that follow up work to tackle unresolved issues is also often needed.'
Notes to editors
- Shelter Scotland believes everyone should have a home. The charity helps 170,000 people a year across the UK fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Scotland’s housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
- Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
