ELDERLY and vulnerable people across the borough could lose vital housing support as another government grant is slashed.

Up until this year Ealing Council received £11.25m in the Supporting People Fund which offers a variety of housing-related services for people including teenage parents, the homeless, the elderly, and people recovering from drug addiction.

The funding will no longer be ring-fenced which means it will be clumped together with other formula grants as the council struggles to find £85million of savings over the next four years.

People who rely on this service to help get them back on their feet could lose out on advice on how to claim housing benefit and managing finances, help finding accommodation and provision of community and social alarms.

Residents living in sheltered accommodation in Wimborne Court, in Southwell Avenue, Northolt, could lose the emergency cord in their bedrooms to call for help.

Joyce Parr, 60, said: "My family don't live close and I suffer from rheumatoid. Last year, I twisted a muscle in my back and I couldn't move. I pulled the cord and the manager came and waited with me for over an hour before the ambulance arrived. If we don't have a pull cord we won't have that."

Stephanie Killer, regional director for Sanctuary Housing which runs the block, said they will consult with residents if the funding is withdrawn but has pledged to continue to provide the alarm call system.

Saorise Keating is a housing and support officer for Innisfree Housing Association in Ealing, which looks after vulnerable Irish people in the borough. The group estimates that up to 12 people will face eviction next March if funding is discontinued.

She said: "Some of the people we look after could become homeless or could go back to drinking and drug abuse which have to free themselves from in the past.

"Some of our tenants can't read or write so they depend on us as a friendly face they can talk to and treat their problems with sensitivity."

A council spokeswoman said: "The government has cut funding in this area so we have to prioritise services for those in greatest need. Under current proposals the funding may not continue next year, but no decision has been taken."

A decision on what services will be saved is expected in December while the council consults with residents and service providers.