Tenants facing eviction or struggling with housing problems will have access to expanded free legal advice under a new £16 million government support programme.

The Legal Support Grant will fund 48 frontline organisations across England and Wales between October 2026 and March 2029, providing advice to people facing eviction, problem debt, benefit disputes and family breakdown.

Charities and advice providers, including Citizen’s Advice and Shelter Cymru, will expand free legal support both in person and online, helping people understand their rights, resolve problems and avoid homelessness, financial hardship and unnecessary court action.

Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman, says by helping people access support earlier, the investment will prevent problems spiralling into crisis and reduce pressure on courts.

Breakdown

“When people face eviction, mounting debts or family breakdown, getting the right help at the right time can make all the difference,” she explains. “This important investment will help people across the country access trusted advice earlier, preventing problems from spiralling into crisis and giving families the breathing space they need to get back on track.”

The investment, administered by the Access to Justice Foundation, forms part of the government’s wider mission to improve access to justice.

Shelter

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government has funded Shelter to provide free online training on the Renters’ Rights Act, covering a range of topics including enforcement of the Act, rent increases, possession proceedings and pets. Groups providing housing or homelessness advice and/or debt and welfare benefits advice can access these via Shelter’s website as well as a series of live webinars on Section 8 notices, which groups can book online.

It has also flagged up a range of online Renters’ Rights Act training sessions run by DASH Services to help landlords, housing professionals and agents navigate the reforms and understand their requirements, on its website.

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