Millions in funding committed to help those facing eviction

The Ministry of Justice has committed to £10m extra funding every year which will go towards helping people threatened with eviction or repossession.

Reforms made to the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme (HPCDS) mean people will have early access to free legal advice before appearing in court.

They will also be entitled to advice and representation in court, in the hopes this will reduce the need for court proceedings altogether.

Justice Minister, James Cartlidge, said: ‘We don’t want anyone go through the devastating experience of losing their home, which is why we have overhauled the legal aid scheme to ensure anyone that needs it has earlier access to free legal advice.

‘During such a stressful and uncertain period in people’s lives, our raft of reforms will also provide wider, wrap-around care to support individuals and families on money and welfare issues.’

People with a repossession notice will be able to get early legal advice on debt and welfare benefit matters too.

Ministers believe these measures will allow families to keep their homes, improve their finances and provide support to improve health and life prospects.

Additionally, a panel of legal experts will be introduced to aid housing legal aid providers in resolving complex legal issues, alongside funding for a pilot solicitor training scheme to increase the number of lawyers providing this service.

Co-chair Housing Law Practitioners Association Simon Mullings said: ’I welcome the proposals to put in place funded, non-means-tested, early legal advice to those facing possession proceedings.   

‘The revised proposals take into account many of the issues we raised in the consultation period for the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS).   

‘While I still continue to advocate for ‘crisis navigator’ support at court and elsewhere, I believe that the HLPAS proposals, if implemented in the right way and aligned to further work by government to shore up the viability of housing providers, can be a significant step towards effective early legal advice.’

Photo by Tingey Injury Law