Customers will still be able to get face-to-face support despite a cash office closing.

The Epping Forest District Council housing management team has found a new venue for staff in Debden.

This means that, from December 1, members of the council’s housing management team will be based in Oakwood Hill Community Hall, in Longcroft Rise, Loughton, and will continue to offer support face-to-face.

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Support had previously been available at Debden Cash Office, but no replacement venue was announced to follow its closure on November 29, although it was confirmed a new location would be confirmed “soon”.

Councillor Holly Whitbread, who is responsible for housing and community, said: “I’m so pleased that we can continue to provide a face-to-face housing service for residents in Debden.

“The housing team has developed important and substantial connections while based at the cash office; this new venue means they can maintain those relationships and build new ones.”

The number of residents visiting this office was reviewed in 2019. The review found footfall was consistently low and numbers had dropped further since reopening the office after the pandemic.

Housing officers will be sharing the hall with Restore Church, Qualis, and Peabody Trust and will be accessible to the public from 9.30am to 12.30pm every Thursday from December 1 until June 2023.

The council has said this will mean people can access more of its services in the same place.

The housing management team is there to give support, advice, and to signpost customers to other services.

The separate Qualis management team will offer information and advice about repairs and arrange appointments.

It is part of the Qualis Group, a council-owned company that returns any profits to the council, which took over housing repairs in September 2020.

Peabody Trust offers short-term support to anyone experiencing issues that impact their health, finances, or housing.

When the Debden office closure was announced some residents raised concerns for older tenants who may struggle to use online support.

The council has warned the schedule may vary over the Christmas period.