At a time of economic uncertainty the Council is providing help by offering free, specialist housing advice, pension drop-ins and business seminars. Trained staff can guide residents through a variety of support options for those who may be experiencing difficulties with mortgages or remaining in their homes. Sessions across the District have been set up to meet this need.
In Burgess Hill, Housing Advice drop-in sessions take place at Burgess Hill Town Council Help point, Church Walk on Thursdays from 1pm - 3pm.
Housing Advice and Housing Benefit sessions at East Grinstead Library are temporarily re-locating until mid February while building work is carried out in the library. From 23 September these sessions will be moved to the Glen Vue Centre, Wareland House, Railway Approach RH19 1BS to ensure that our residents continue to have access to housing advice. The Housing Advice surgery will be on alternate Wednesday afternoons by appointment - bookings are arranged by contacting the Housing Needs Team on 01444 477574. Housing Benefit sessions take place on Wednesdays 9.30 - 11.30am.
In Haywards Heath, Shelter has housing advisers on hand at the MSDC offices every Thursday between 10am and 4.30pm to provide independent and confidential advice to the public on a range of housing issues.
These surgeries complement the Housing Advice drop-in surgeries held by the Council's Housing Needs Team at the MSDC offices on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 11am and 2pm.
For those attending court and facing repossession, the Council funds Brighton Housing Trust to provide expert free advice and representation in court from a Court Desk at Haywards Heath Court on alternate Tuesdays. Funding is also allocated to the Citizens Advice Bureaux in the District to support their work.
If you have any questions about housing in Mid Sussex, the Council's Housing Needs Team is available on 01444 477574 or HousingAdvice@midsussex.gov.uk. There is also housing advice for many different situations on the website at www.midsussex.gov.uk/housing
"At a time when many people may be experiencing housing or mortgage problems, it is important for residents to know that we continue to provide advice and assistance on housing", said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet member for Health and Community. "It is a priority for the Council to support residents through the current uncertain times, both in their homes and their businesses."
The Council has recently expanded the expert sessions available and now runs a ‘Pension Drop In Advice Session' on the last Wednesday of each month, from 10.30am - 12.30pm at the Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) Office in Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath.
The ‘Local Business Clinics', run in conjunction with Business Link Sussex, are one-to-one meetings with an experienced business adviser for those intending to grow their business effectively. These Business Clinics take place at the MSDC office in Oaklands Road and can be booked by calling Business Link Sussex on 0845 600 9006.
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PR1110/JT/JB
15 September 2009
