Local MP Alex Cunningham has responded to a new Report from Shelter which states that Stockton has the highest rate of repossessions in the North East by urging local residents to seek help from the Local Authority if they find themselves struggling to pay their mortgage.
Shelter’s “England Repossession Hotspots” Report shows that in 2010/11, Stockton saw 320 possession orders; a rate of 4.8 per 1,000 households. The average rate across the North East is 4.1 per 1,000 households.
Alex said:
“I was very worried to read that Stockton has the highest rate of possession orders per 1,000 households in the North East region. I know that the Local Authority has good initiatives in place to support those who need help and my concern is that people are not seeking that help.
“The Housing Options Service actively supports local people with mortgage problems and I would urge anyone in difficulty to approach that service as soon as possible.
“I am told that during 2010/11 the Local Authority rescued more households through the national Government funded Mortgage Rescue Scheme than any other Local Authority in the Tees Valley and Durham Region.”
The Housing Options Service at Stockton Borough Council is available at housing.options@stockton.gov.uk or on 01642 528 389 .