A VITAL project will help people facing homelessness across the Maldon district.

The Homelessness Trailblazer project – one of just 28 pilot schemes nationwide – is being run by Essex County Council in conjunction with councils and groups across the area.

It was made possible by a £890,000 grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government and will see ten specialist mentors employed to identify people at risk and intervene before they lose their homes.

The team has already saved 29 people from becoming homeless.

Maldon District Council has worked with County Hall to launch the project and roll it out across the district.

The council’s strategic housing manager Paul Gayler played a leading role as chair of the Essex Housing Officers’ Group which developed the project.

At the launch Mr Gayler highlighted how important it was to prevent homelessness wherever possible so that the risk of becoming roofless does not become a reality.

He also referred to a recent study that showed how rough sleeping in rural areas was increasing and likely to be higher than recorded in some areas because of the difficulty identifying people across large rural areas compared to towns and cities.

Bob Boyce MBE, chairman of Community Services said “The council has always worked hard to support people at risk of becoming homeless.

“This project gives the council an opportunity to pilot new ways of working to prevent people becoming homeless and supports the council’s goal to strengthen communities to be safe.”

Sue Lissimore, County Hall cabinet member responsible for housing, said: “Many people are only two months’ salary away from losing their home, so a combination of mounting debt, losing a job or the breakdown of a relationship can be all it takes for someone to lose their home.

“This project could have a drastic impact on the way we tackle homelessness in Essex.

“It is the first collaborative effort of its kind and will ensure everyone is working together to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place, rather than trying to pick up the pieces afterwards.”