News : Roundswell & Sticklepath

From worries about homelessness to looking for an affordable home – if you have any housing issues, then you’re being urged to visit the new site of the council’s Housing    Options Service.

From Tuesday 1 December, the team will move into the Civic Centre on North Walk in Barnstaple, having outgrown the Housing Advice Centre in Boutport Street.

As part of the move, The Housing Options Service will be working closely with the        Customer Service Centre. This means customers can also get help and advice at The   Ilfracombe Centre and at The Amory Centre in South Molton, which are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Councillor Brian Moores, Lead Member for Housing, says: “The move of our Housing   Options team will mean they will have more space to meet clients and carry out their work. It will also mean the team has better access to other resources to help individuals, with other services by North Devon Council and Devon County Council both close to hand.”

Housing Options Service Manager Trudy Robinson says: “Our service has developed over the last few years and we are helping to prevent more people from being homeless every year. We have loved being at the Housing Advice Centre, but accept that we can’t continue to operate from that site. We now look forward to moving to the Civic so that we can      continue to improve.”

The Housing Options Service can offer support on a range of issues, including:

• help to people who are having difficulty with their rent or mortgage repayments
• legal advice regarding rights to remain in accommodation
• support to manage a tenancy or home
• money and benefits advice, or signpost for specialist advice
• help for victims of domestic abuse and violence
• financial assistance to move, such as a deposit or rent in advance (subject to                 circumstances)
• advice and assistance to people who are homeless
• applications for housing association property
• advice to landlords and help with letting accommodation.

Customers can contact the Housing Options Service at:
Civic Centre, North Walk, Barnstaple, EX31 1EA
The Ilfracombe Centre, 44 High Street, Ilfracombe, EX34 9QB
The Amory House, 125 East Street, South Molton, EX36 3BU.

They can also phone 01271 388870, email customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk or visit our website www.northdevon.gov.uk/housingoptions for more information.