Published at 16:06, Thursday, 27 September 2012

A HOMELESS charity’s Furness office could be shut down.

SHELTER CUMBRIA: Shelter Cumbria based in Dalton Road, Barrow

Shelter branches across the country are facing an uncertain future after government cuts which are set to reduce the charity’s funding by 50 per cent.

Anna Wilson, a spokeswoman for Shelter, said no decisions had been made. However, she did reveal the charity’s service in Cumbria was among those “more susceptible” to the axe but was unable to elaborate.

The Barrow office in Dalton Road, which only opened in November 2010, offers advice about housing, debt and welfare benefits.

If the office in Dalton Road were to be closed, people would be directed to Shelter’s freephone helpline or the website and the face-to-face service would be lost.

Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said: “We are consulting staff on the impact to their service of the government’s decision to make huge cuts to legal aid in England, which we campaigned vigorously against.

“The cuts will mean a reduction of 50 per cent in our funding to support our face-to-face advice services.

“If this service has to close as a result of cuts to legal aid, this will be a massive blow not only to our staff, but to the people in the affected area who will no longer be able to get face to face advice and support from Shelter. We will be doing all we can to ensure people can still get help with their housing problems through our helpline and website.

“With the ongoing recession, benefit cuts, and the high cost of housing meaning more and more people are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, now is the very worst time to be taking away the housing safety net that helps people stay in their homes.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk