A family of five told how a new Oxford City Council rent deposit scheme helped them find a new home.

Jacky Howard and one of her sons, Scott, 15, are among those helped by the city council's Housing Options scheme

The Housing Options scheme is offered to people who fear they are about to become homeless, and is helping them secure private accommodation across the city.

Instead of the council declaring families homeless and placing them in temporary accommodation, the scheme allows them to find secure rented accommodation by providing rent deposits. The council pays the deposit directly to the landlord, and the family is then responsible for paying monthly rent, although it is still entitled to claim housing benefit.

The shortage of social housing in Oxford means more than 1,100 families are forced to live in temporary accommodation provided by the council.

In December, Steven and Jacky Howard and their three sons were living with relatives in a two-bedroom flat.

They approached the council, but instead of registering as homeless, they found they qualified for help with rent deposits, and the next day moved into a three-bedroom rented house in Temple Cowley.

Under normal procedures, once a family has registered as homeless, it is placed in temporary accommodation, and could face a wait of up to five years for permanent housing. Families are not given a choice about the location of temporary accommodation.

Mrs Howard said: "Our three boys were sleeping on the floor, so I am delighted with the housing needs team, who were so helpful."

Council executive member for housing Val Smith said: "Many families are finding that with housing benefit, they can afford the rent on a private house, but struggle to find the deposit.

"By helping people with this, families can find accommodation and have a choice about which part of the city they want to live in."

The scheme is only open to people who are recognised as homeless. The council's housing needs team can be contacted on 01865 252859.