Bognor residents can get help if they risk losing their home

Bognor residents can get help if they risk losing their home. 

Arun District Council says they are getting more and more calls from worried residents - but that the council is here to help. 

Councillor Roger Elkins, Arun's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Unfortunately the economic climate is such that more and more people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. People might not necessarily think to turn to their local council for help, especially if they are not a council tenant, but there's a lot of help we are able to give.

"Of the thousands of people our dedicated team help every year, we manage to keep 97% of them in their homes or find them suitable alternative accommodation."

Dedicated housing options officers at the Council run drop in sessions at Bognor Regis Town Hall and Arun Civic Centre throughout the week where people are free to drop in and ask for advice and help. No appointment is needed.

These drop-in sessions are: 

• Monday 11am - 3pm
• Tuesday 11am -2pm
• Wednesday  - emergencies only 
• Thursday 11am - 2pm
• Friday 11am -3pm

 An officer is always available for emergencies, regardless of whether they are needed outside of the drop in times.

There are a number of national schemes that the Council can use to help people tap into to keep their homes, such as the Mortgage Rescue Scheme and the Homeowner's Mortgage Support scheme as well as access to funding from government given to the Council to prevent people from losing their homes.

Cllr Elkins said: "It really is crucial that people come to us as early as they can because the more time we have to work with people and the relevant agencies who are out there the more options we have to explore and the more help we may be able to offer."

Anybody who wants more information or needs to talk to the team can contact them in confidence on 01903 737751 or email housing.options@arun.gov.uk.