Town Halls welcome lenders' hopes for fewer repossessions

摘要

The number of families likely to have their homes repossessed during the recession could be revised downwards, following a successful campaign by councils to get borrowers to tackle debt problems.The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) this week revealed its initial estimate that 75,000 homes would be repossessed this year would be adjusted.Andrew Heywood, the CML's deputy head of policy, said: 'We're going to look at that [75,000] figure again, and there's a possibility that it will be revised downwards.'The news was well received by councils, which have borne the brunt of extra demand on public services - particularly local housing and benefits services - following a hike in repossessions.In the first quarter of 2009, almost 13,000 homes were repossessed. But a series of interventions by lenders, Whitehall and councils -which have focused on providing mortgage assistance, debt management and benefits advice - have eased the burden.