A free-to-use ‘Housing Early Prevention Service’ runs by a council on the south coast has been deemed such a success it has been extended until March 2020.

The shared project between Bournemouth and Poole council started in May 2017 and identified 382 households that were privately renting but at risk of eviction. 

The service says it has had a 58 per cent success rate of preventing homelessness. 

Six outreach staff work directly with tenants, liaising with other support services such as the Jobcentre, health, voluntary sector and private sector landlords. 

Bournemouth councillor Robert Lawton says: “We are delighted with the achievements made through this scheme. We have been successful in helping people in vulnerable situations achieve positive outcomes by remaining in their homes.”