Dozens facing homelessness helped into housing

More than 50 people in Wolverhampton have found housing or avoided becoming homeless through a council scheme, the local authority said.

The council's Winter Pressures Fund supports people who are currently homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness.

So far, 52 people have been helped with half moving on from supported accommodation into private rented homes or social housing, the Good Shepherd Wolverhampton said, which runs the scheme for the council.

People have been helped with a deposit and rent in advance through the fund and on-going tenancy help, the charity said.

The scheme also supports people with mental health challenges, survivors of domestic abuse and those with mobility issues.

Shaz, a keyworker at the Good Shepherd, helped mum Lindsey to find stable accommodation in the city which led to her being reunited with her daughter.

"Good Shepherd supported with the deposit and rent in advance through the Winter Pressure Fund," she said.

"The accommodation is superb and within a few days Lindsey had made it into a home for her and her daughter."

Lindsey said without the support she received for housing, she would not have been able to stay where she was living.

"It's local to the school, local to the Good Shepherd, so, there's no travel expenses or anything, said Lindsey.

"Without that help financially, we wouldn't be in a property that we're in now, it's great."

Councillor Steve Evans, deputy leader of the council, said being able to support people when they need it was important.

"Through finding and securing accommodation, helping people to avoid evictions or supporting those with complicated circumstances, this project is making a positive difference to very many lives," he added.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.