A RUNCORN family could be made homeless because housing benefit was paid to their neighbour instead of them, it was claimed this week.

The unemployed parents of six children, who asked not to be named, said their landlords, Merseyside Improved Housing, took them to court fifteen months ago because of £2,000 rent arrears on their home in Halton Brook.

They say MIH had written to them saying they were in arrears, but the housing office assured them that benefits were still being paid in the father's name.

But they claim that it turned out that his money had been paid in error to a neighbour with the same surname.

In court he was ordered to pay up.

His wife wanted to move house, feeling uncomfortable on Littlegate after the court case

He applied for a transfer, but was turned down, forcing him to become a private tenant in south Wirral.

But now his current landlord is returning home sooner than expected, and wants the family out by the middle of October.

A housing association spokesperson said that she could not discuss individual cases, but commented generally that any person who was in dispute over arrears could arrange a meeting and sort something out.

She added that the father could be considered for rehousing, if he so desired.

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