Boost to Household Support for Erewash
HOMELESS people in Erewash and those facing the threat of losing the roof over their heads are poised to get an extra £129,159 of help from the borough council.
The money is set to be spent over the next three months after it was awarded to the authority from a government funding pot given to Derbyshire County Council.
The deal means that a Household Support Fund that Erewash launched four years ago can continue until the end of September.
The fund pays for emergency housing while also helping to stop hard-up residents becoming homeless in the first place.
They can get grants towards tackling rent arrears and other debts as long as they also seek expert advice over their finances.
In the last financial year a total of 284 struggling households were supported by the fund. Many were facing eviction.
The news that the grants and other assistance can be extended into the autumn was welcomed by Erewash leader Cllr James Dawson and his top team at an Ilkeston Town Hall meeting on Tuesday 9 July.
A total of £63,000 out of the new money will go towards homelessness prevention by targeting “those in need and vulnerable”. A report to the Council Executive stressed: “The use of this fund supports the council’s cost of living support priority.”
For more information on the fund visit the Erewash Borough Council website here:
Household Support Fund (erewash.gov.uk)
Councillor Josy Hare, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“The council remains committed to helping those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis. This extra funding will boost our mission – and will go towards easing the plight of struggling households who are in danger of being evicted.”