Evicted Young Mothers May Be Rehoused 200 Miles Away

Twenty-nine young single mothers facing eviction from the UK's largest hostel for homeless young people in London have been told they may be rehoused as far away as Manchester, Birmingham and Hastings as a result of cuts and welfare reforms. The exodus, which represents potentially one of the largest displacements of vulnerable people since the coalition's social security reform programme began, was triggered after housing support funding for young parents at Focus E15, a specialist hostel in east London, was cut by Newham council.  Read more on the Guardian website.

Council to Help Buyers Purchase Home With 5% Deposit

Hastings Borough Council is the latest local authority to team up with bank Lloyds TSB to help first-time buyers purchase a home with just a 5% deposit. The initiative, announced in March last year, was initially being piloted by four other local authorities. Hastings said the The 'Local Lend a Hand' product will be available in local branches of Lloyds TSB from 10 January 2012. The normal deposit required by most lenders is around 10%. Under the deal - and subject to Lloyds TSB's usual lending criteria - borrowers are able to select a property within the local area, up to a maximum loan size of £150,000. First time buyers will put down 5% of the property price, and the council will provide a cash backed indemnity of up to 20% as additional security. The local authority then earns interest on this amount. Read more on the Hastings Borough Council website.