Posted 11th Nov 2005

New Progress Housing Association has secured a contract with Preston City Council to help support their housing team to provide a confidential out of hours homelessness help-line.

The out-of-hours service offers an essential support service to individuals and families in the Preston area facing emergency housing situations. The specially trained Control Centre team, based at Head Office in Leyland, is able to offer immediate, practical assistance and advice to people in difficulty.

Since its launch, the service has already helped 40 families and individuals faced with unexpected homelessness by providing temporary emergency accommodation in local hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels or signposting the, them to the relevant support agencies.

Says Control Centre Manager, Loraine Simpson: 'This is an excellent opportunity to help support local Councils meet the needs of local homeless people.

'Over the past year, the scheme at South Ribble has proved very successful in supporting Council staff to provide a structured and responsive service that meets their high standards for individuals facing emergency housing issues.

'We hope we can continue to develop the service and support other Councils in providing this vital lifeline to those people in need.'

Preston Council approached the organisation on the back of the success of a similar service provided by New Progress Housing Association to South Ribble Borough Council.