THREE housing offices in Hillingdon which help and advise council tenants could be closed this year, the Gazette has learned.

The area housing centres in Yiewsley High Street, Uxbridge Road in Hayes and Ruislip High Street are all being considered for closure as part of cost-saving measures, Hillingdon Council confirmed.

Neil Stubbings, deputy director of social care, health and housing, said: As the final part of the Hillingdon Housing Services reintegration with the council, we are now looking at how we can reduce the amount of office space we use, and money we spend on it.

This could result in the closure of these housing offices but we will of course be mindful of the effect of any closure on residents and look to minimise any impact.

The offices provide support for council tenants and prospective tenants with housing needs. They can be used to pay rent, report issues and join the housing register. Without them, these services would only be provided from Uxbridge Civic Centre.

Wally Kennedy, chairman of Hillingdon Against Cuts and a former councillor, told the Gazette: It is outrageous, it would have a huge impact.

Because of the sale of council housing, many of the tenants who are left are very vulnerable people, many of them elderly, and they find it extremely difficult to get to the civic centre.

They build up relationships with staff at these centres who often know tenants on a personal level and that will all be lost.

It would cause extreme hardship.

l Are you a tenant who would find it tough if your area office closed? Let us know. Go to www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/tellus or call 01895 451 000.