Advice and support services for frontline staff helping families facing the real and frightening prospect of homelessness are to receive a cash boost from Government, strengthening one of the world's strongest safety nets against homelessness, Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced.

It comes as new figures show that councils have already helped over 13,000 vulnerable households secure alternative homes and avoid living on the streets, showing that many people are still suffering from the legacy of a debt-laden economy.

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Funding boost

Mr Shapps announced £3.4 million to the National Homelessness Advice Service to ensure it continues to deliver the vital support services to equip local agencies to help thousands of families across the country.

The funding, to be shared between Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau, will help provide:

•Vital training for homelessness advisors

•A National Information Service to keep advisers up to date on homelessness prevention law

•Help with mortgage debt and money advice for those at risk of repossession; and

•Legal services for local advice bodies like councils and voluntary organisations.

The funding is part of the £400 million Government funding already in place to help those at risk of homelessness until 2015.

(CD)