End it Before it Begins
Join our campaign to prevent homelessness before it begins.
The current coronavirus emergency has left many people concerned about their housing.
The number of people seeking help with debt, benefits, employment, and housing has increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic. Many people are facing new financial pressures. BHT Sussex Advice Services in Brighton, Eastbourne & Hastings are open and continue to provide specialist and free-of-charge housing advice to those at risk of homelessness. Whilst our offices are not open to the public, we are providing advice by telephone, email and other media.
The government has introduced temporary measures to prevent people from losing their homes during the pandemic, but once these come to an end, we expect to see a sharp increase in the number of people needing our support. Analysis for the National Residential Landlords Association warns that 7% of private renters have built arrears due to Covid - which would amount to 840,000 tenants across the sector. When the current eviction ban is lifted, our specialist housing advisers are preparing to see an unprecedented number of cases over the following year.
We need your support so we can be there for people when they need us.
Your donation helps us prevent homelessness.
Look at what your support can do:
Last year BHT Sussex Advice prevented 927 households from becoming homeless.
The service has been providing free specialist advice for more than 25 years. Advice is given on a range of housing, immigration and welfare benefits related issues.
More than 800,000 renters at risk of eviction
Over 800,000 private renters (7%) have fallen into arrears since the start of the pandemic, meaning they could lose their homes following the end of the eviction ban.
If you are worried about your living situation then don't wait. Contact us today and get advice.Â
*The market research agency, Dynata, surveyed 2,077 private renters in England and Wales between 17 November and 9 December 2020 for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). The NRLA’s report on the findings, together with its policy recommendations can be accessed here.
Mike's story
Mike was made redundant after working as a caretaker in the same job for 36 years. His flat was owned by his employers and when they went into liquidation, not only did he lose his job but he was told to leave his flat of 20 years.
BHT Sussex Advice became involved and helped him to settle the case with his landlord and get a new home with a housing association.
Without the support of BHT Sussex, Mike, whose wife had recently died, would have lost his home.
Are you worried about becoming homeless?
If you are facing eviction, whether you are a private tenant, a tenant of a social landlord (housing association or local council), or are in mortgage arrears, get advice and representation as soon as possible. You can contact one of our advice centres for support with a range of housing related issues.
#EndItBeforeItBegins
The best way to stop homelessness is to prevent it before it even happens. That's why we are asking people to back our campaign #EndItBeforeItBegins, by spreading the word or making a donation.
By getting professional help as soon as they can, people can protect their homes and avoid falling into homelessness. If you are worried about your housing or know someone who is then get in touch now.
Support the campaign
Pledge your support for #EndItBeforeItBegins by downloading our pledge card. Print it off and take a photo holding it. Post it to social media using the hashtag #EndItBeforeItBegins and don't forget to tag us!
if you don't have a printer then click 'share pledge online' to download an image you can use directly on social media.
Find out more
Find out more about our work including campaigns like #EndItBeforeItBegins by joining our mailing list.
Connect with us
Connect with us on social media and help to spread the #EndItBeforeItBegins message. Share our posts, create your own, use the tag and don't forget to tag @bht_sussex.
