Hampshire Homechoice

A new government-backed scheme providing free legal advice to help 38,000 people a year at risk of losing their home has launched. 

People facing eviction or repossession in England and Wales will be able to receive expert legal advice free of charge, helping them to keep their homes and avoid lengthy, costly court proceedings.

The advice will be available from the moment a written notice is received by a tenant or homeowner, which could be in the form of an email from a landlord or letter from a mortgage provider. They will also be able to have legal representation in court, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Legal support for housing, debt and welfare benefit matters will help with the wider issues individuals at risk of losing their home may face. It is part of an extra £10 million a year being pumped into housing legal aid by the government.

Further information on the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service can be found on the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/guidance/legal-aid-for-possession-proceedings 

To search for a legal adviser or family mediator with a legal aid contract in England and Wales details can be found on the GOV.UK website: find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk.

The Hampshire Home Choice Annual Report summarises the main outcomes over the last year from the scheme. The Report details the main activity around the Housing Register and Lettings by local authority area. The Report also includes a Housing Development update.

Extra Care Housing is independent living with on-site care and is available in Eastleigh, Test Valley and Winchester. Lettings for this type of accommodation sit outside of Hampshire Home Choice and properties are not advertised on this site. If you are on the housing register, are over 55 and need care and support to remain independent, please contact extracare@hants.gov.uk . Further information about schemes in Hampshire can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/extracarehousing .

You can now upload documentation to support your housing application via this website.

You can upload your supporting documentation when you:

• Complete a new housing register application form online or
• Via your ‘My Account’ page.

Click on the How to Upload your supporting documents Guide (PDF) for details on how you can upload your documents.