Council Funds Crucial Support Service
Milton Keynes City Council is allocating £175,000 in grant funding to Citizens Advice Milton Keynes (CAMK). This financial backing is designated to enhance a service already instrumental in assisting thousands of local individuals and families in preventing homelessness.
Impact of Homelessness Prevention Service
The funding will bolster CAMK’s Homelessness Prevention Support Service. This service provides free, confidential, and independent assistance across a range of critical areas. These include housing advice, benefit claims, debt management, employment concerns, consumer rights, and family-related matters.
Since commencing its partnership with the city council in 2020, CAMK has supported over 4,000 Milton Keynes residents identified as being at risk of losing their homes. Support has involved practical guidance, housing assistance, financial advice, and mediation services.
The team helps individuals understand their housing rights, negotiate with landlords, manage debts effectively, maximise their income, and take steps to avoid eviction. Projections based on current demand indicate that CAMK anticipates assisting approximately 750 households annually through these preventative measures.
Preventing Homelessness in Milton Keynes
This significant investment forms part of the city council’s broader strategy to address homelessness proactively. The initiative focuses on empowering residents to resolve underlying issues that could jeopardise their housing stability. Such issues can range from personal family circumstances to employment-related challenges.
Cllr Donna Fuller, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Communities, highlighted the importance of early intervention. She stated that the most effective approach to tackling homelessness is by preventing it from occurring. This funding ensures the continuation of a service that has already demonstrated a significant positive impact on the lives of local people.
The £175,000 grant aims to ensure that vital support remains accessible. This enables residents to receive the necessary advice to maintain their homes and work towards greater financial security.
This story is based on reporting by MKFM. Read the original coverage: MKFM