Office to help people with housing issues a success in first few months

The office provides a service for people who need support with a range of housing issues.

A new face to face housing service, set up by the council, has supported over 500 people with housing issues since opening its doors earlier this year.

The new office at number 2 Smith Street in Rochdale town centre opened its doors in late August to offer a face to face to service for people who need support with a range of housing issues.

The team have supported an average of 40 people a week since opening their doors, helping residents navigate a huge range of issues, including problems in their property and adaptations to help them in older age.

The team can help with a range of issues, including supporting tenants in private rented accommodation and home-owners with issues in their property, assisting older people who need help to stay in their homes or find suitable accommodation and advice for people who are struggling with mortgage or rent payments.

The Mayor, Councillor Shakil Ahmed, his consort, Councillor Rachel Massey, and cabinet member for housing and regeneration, Councillor Danny Meredith, recently popped in to meet the team and find out more about how the service is benefitting residents.

Councillor Meredith said: “I’m delighted that this service has helped so many residents since opening its doors. Our teams are always available to help via the phone or email, but sometimes people just need that face to face contact to get to the bottom of a problem.

"Sometimes issues which seem insurmountable can be resolved very quickly with a friendly face and listening ear and I’m not surprised this service has proved so popular. Over 500 people have been supported so far and long may it continue.”

Issues the team have helped resolve since opening include a man who lived without electricity for eight days in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) because the ownership of the property changed hands and the power was switched off. The team were able to identify the new owner and organise for power to be switched back on within 24 hours of speaking to the resident.

A couple were also supported by the team after they told staff they had recently had a baby and were looking to join the housing register, so they could get into social housing.

The team realised that the condition of their property was the main problem and their issues are now being resolved by the housing standards team. This means that improvements can be made to enable them to stay in their current home, rather than wait up to four years for social housing.

The Mayor, Councillor Shakil Ahmed, said: “I was honoured to look around this great new facility and find out how it’s helping our residents with problems which can really affect their quality of life.

"As well as incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff, it’s thoughtfully designed, so as to create a welcoming and lovely atmosphere to help put people at their ease as soon as they walk through the door.”

The Smith Street office, which is opposite the Rochdale town centre Metrolink stop, will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, and people can just drop in.