New team provides early help to those at risk of becoming homeless

Monday, 13 October 2025 05:55

Wiltshire Council has launched a new team to support those at risk of becoming homeless.

From young people on the verge of being asked to leave their family homes, to households struggling to pay bills and rent, or simply trying to survive on limited means, the challenges are real and urgent.

Wiltshire Council engages every week with people who are homeless or at serious risk of losing their homes.

Now, the council has set up a new team to specifically work with those who are at high risk of losing their homes – and help to find them a way back.

The Homeless Early Intervention Team promotes a new upstream pre-preventative approach to homelessness by Wiltshire Council.
The team offers help in several ways, including:

Support with budgeting and managing their income and expenditure
Mediation between tenants and landlords to prevent evictions ie support with setting up affordable repayment plans or rebuilding relationships
Family mediation to prevent breakdown in relationships and homelessness
Applying for grants and bursaries to maximise their income

The team also offers support and helps households navigate through issues such as domestic abuse, mental health, disabilities, substance or alcohol use and developing robust support systems.

In return, the person working with the team is asked to engage positively and is empowered to develop their resilience and shape a resolution.

Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We are approaching people before their problems get out of hand. If we can get in early then we can help prevent larger problems. Sometimes people may feel everything is wrong and they can’t see a way to solve the issues. However, by encouraging people to work with our Homeless Early Intervention Team we can help them to take a step back from the noise, assess their options or mediate with families and help them make a plan.

“The team is already busy and I hope through this preventative work we can support more people to make good choices and set up a more positive future.”

People can contact a Homeless Early Intervention Officer by emailing homelessearlyintervention@wiltshire.gov.uk. For more information also visit Homeless early intervention - Wiltshire Council

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