Lotto award for housing scheme

A DISTRICTWIDE project which helps homeless people get into rented accommodation has received a £20,000 Big Lottery Fund grant.

The one-year grant provides funds for rent guarantees enabling low income single-parent families and other homeless people to obtain rented accommodation.

Epping Forest Council's housing portfolio holder Michael Heavens said: "It is hard to overestimate the good work of the Epping Forest Housing Aid Scheme. Since its creation in 1995 it has helped more than 70 homeless families find a new home.

"With an imaginative scheme and a small amount of money it has bridged the gap of rent deposits guarantees that can otherwise make it impossible for people to find private sector rented housing."

Mr added: "I would particularly like to congratulate Sid and Doreen Miller who have run the local scheme since setting it up in 1995 as well as all the other volunteers who have made Epping Forest Housing aid such a success."

Epping Forest Housing Aid is an independent voluntary organisation.

Epping Forest Council has worked closely with the scheme since its creation including the original grant aid to set it up and recently providing an underwriting guarantee of £10,000 for the Deposit Scheme.

The council's housing needs manager, Marion Pearce, is a trustee of the charity and a member of its management committee. The council also supported Epping Forest Housing Aid Scheme's application for Lottery funding.

Mr Heavens said: "This is one of the best examples of the voluntary sector working in partnership with the council and other organisations to make a real and lasting difference to our community."