A COUNCIL housing management company has helped to reduce the number of homeless people in the Easington district.

The number of homeless people contacting East Durham Homes (EDH) has halved since the company introduced an early intervention team.

Three housing option officers, who were appointed in October 2004, work with families threatened with homelessness to remain in their own premises.

In 2003-4, 808 under-threat households contacted EDH. By 2005-5, the number had fallen to 300.

Peter Chaffer, director of community housing, said: "It is much better to take steps to prevent people becoming homeless than to have families, young people and children faced with the distress of being made homeless.

"We are extremely pleased that we have managed to reduce the number of people presenting to us as homeless. EDH is committed to providing an excellent service and this success is just one example of the many ways in which we are improving life for people in the district.''

Anyone who is worried about being made homeless can contact a housing option officer by calling 0191-527 0501.