Mansfield District Council is hosting a free-to-attend event to guide anyone in Mansfield who may be experiencing housing difficulties.
The Housing and Homelessness Prevention Fair at Mansfield Museum on Wednesday 12 November from 10am to 3pm brings together a range of local organisations and service providers offering expert advice on housing, benefits, mental health, and wider community support.
It is the first time the authority has held an event of this kind and it is hoped the fair will help to guide people in the district at risk of homelessness and highlight the kind of help available to them.
The council is also hoping the event will build a network of cohesive support groups working with families, housing health and community services.
Among the stallholders will be the council’s Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Museum Community Projects, Hoarders Support, Community Safety and Environmental Health teams.
Third party stallholders include Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid and Equation (domestic abuse organisation for men); Call B4U Serve (advice for landlords thinking of evicting their tenant); Citizens Advice; social prescribers and the Furniture Project.
Cllr Anne Callaghan, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “When people facing losing their home, it can feel like the worst thing possible.
“Sometimes people losing the roof over their head can feel a sense of shame even though many in this situation can be at risk of homelessness through no fault of their own.
“Landlords can decide to sell up; families may be experiencing domestic abuse; or there may be family conflicts that result in someone having to move out.
“Losing your home or being at risk of homelessness is stressful enough without any unnecessary stigma that can accompany it. This event will create a welcoming, inclusive space that encourages open conversations about housing insecurity and homelessness.
“We hope this event will be a practical guide for anyone in this situation to empower them and help raise public understanding of what is a complex and wide-ranging social issue.
“In whatever way people find themselves at risk of homelessness, the main message is to get help early. We don’t want you to end up at crisis point. There are lots of housing solutions out there.”
For more information about housing visit the council website (link opens in new window).