STRUGGLING families living in Kirklees can get extra help to avoid their homes being repossessed.

Kirklees Council has just announced that householders will benefit from a £171,000 boost through the Government’s Repossession Prevention Fund.

The news comes as Housing Minister John Healey revealed plans to extend a campaign to help the country’s repossession ‘hotspot’ areas.

The borough is on the list of 86 areas and one of 10 in the Yorkshire region which will be targeted by the campaign.

Latest figures show that the number of people who lost their homes leapt by 15% in 2009.

The Financial Services Authority said 54,055 people had their properties repossessed during the year – up from 46,945 in 2008.

Mr Healey said there would be a special ‘local push’ to help repossession hotspot areas.

He also announced an extra £2.5m to the Government’s It’s Your Home campaign to encourage people to seek advice and get a grip on their finances.

Mr Healey said: “With the pressure on homeowners set to remain throughout 2010 we must keep the Government support in place.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops to help people avoid losing their home. More than 330,000 families have had help and advice with their mortgages over the past year.”

In Kirklees cash has been given by the Department for Communities and Local Government to help local people remain in their homes.

The fund, accessed through the council’s Housing Options and Support Service, will provide small interest-free loans to homeowners threatened with repossession due to the recession.

The repayment period is tailored to suit the individual household.

Clr Shabir Pandor, cabinet member for strategic housing, said: “The loans can be used to help tenants in the social or private rented sector who, through no fault of their own, are struggling with their rent due to the economic climate and are facing eviction.

“Since the Repossession Prevention Fund started there have been 17 inquiries.

“Three loans have been approved and another is close to completion.

“This funding will enable the council to offer small interest-free loans to people most in need of help and financial support.

“We know that when your home is at risk your health and wellbeing suffers.”

Despite the rise in people losing their homes, there was a fall in both the number of repossessions and people who were unable to keep up with their mortgage during the final quarter of the year.

Around 11,800 homes wererepossessed during the final three months of 2009, 15% fewer than during the previous quarter.