HOMELESSNESS in York is set to be tackled under a new project after figures revealed the problem had shot up by more than 40 per cent in the city last year.

The Homelessness Prevention Service will provide practical help to people in danger of losing their homes because of financial problems or housing-related difficulties.

Association staff will visit people in their own homes and also hold drop-in surgeries across the city to identify what support people need to prevent them becoming homeless and work out how they can be helped.

The new service will be officially launched on Wednesday at York’s National Railway Museum and will be available to people in private rented housing, social housing and leaseholders, as well as those with a mortgage.

It comes after latest figures from the Local Government Association showed a 40 per cent increase in homelessness in York.

Last year, City of York Council dealt with 183 cases of homelessness – an increase of 53 on the previous year.

Kate Spencer, operations director at the association, said: “Our team will be providing people with free support on a range of issues including helping to resolve financial problems, dealing with mortgage and rent arrears, maximising benefits and even help with finding employment.

“We will have staff available for people to talk to on the day between 1pm and 4pm, but those who can’t attend can phone us at our York headquarters on 01904 636061.”