One in every 200 households in Mole Valley were helped from becoming homeless last year, the council has claimed.

Mole Valley Council said it supported residents threatened with losing the roof over their heads with initiatives to help them remain in their homes, such as a deposit loan scheme or providing them with alternative accommodation.

The authority said it prevented 170 households from becoming homeless in 2009/10.

The number of families living in temporary accommodation over the last four years has remained low and they rarely need to use bed and breakfasts, it said.

Councillor Vivienne Michael, portfolio holder for wellbeing and customer service at Mole Valley Council, said: “It is essential that those who are homeless or facing the threat of homelessness receive the help they so urgently need.”