Chancellor Alistair Darling today visited L&Q residents

A family who faced losing their home before L&Q stepped in with the Mortgage Rescue scheme were today visited by Chancellor Alistair Darling.

Maggie MacMann and Paul Rice faced losing their home after falling behind on mortgage repayments. They were among the first people in the country to benefit from a Government scheme launched last year to help homeowners struggling in the recession.

Mr Rice, 47, was paralysed following an accident which forced him to give up his job as a refuse collector. His partner Ms MacMann, 42, gave up her job in a supermarket to provide full-time care for him. Without money coming in the couple soon fell behind with their mortgage repayments and ended up facing the repossession of their home in Plumstead, south east London.

L&Q who operate and manage Mortgage Rescue applications in South London stepped in and took control of the property, renting it back out to the couple, meaning they could remain in their home and not have to uproot their two children.

After the Chancellor and Housing Minister John Healey met the couple today, Mr Rice said: "The scheme really works. By allowing us to stay in our home the scheme made a difficult situation just that bit easier. We lost our house but were able to keep our home, so our children were able to go to the same school; they never got uprooted so basically it was the next best thing."

Mr Darling said: "If you look at this couple here, they have been able to stay in their own house providing security for themselves and their young children and it's just an example of thousands of people who have been helped."

L&Q also today announced further involvement in the Mortgage Rescue scheme.

David Gannicott, Group Director for South London at L&Q, said "In the last 3 months, we have seen a significant rise in applications for Mortgage Rescue. We have recently decided to extend our initial threshold of cases so that we can cope with the demand and have also begun working with other Housing Associations and local authorities in our area to promote syndication and increase the help available.

"L&Q provides high quality homes and services and by providing the Mortgage Rescue Scheme we are offering another important safety net for when people need it most. By working with local authorities and partner housing associations we can identify and help local families in need so that they can stay in their home. "

L&Q's role as provider of the Government backed Mortgage Rescue scheme in South London has now seen over 10 local residents being 'rescued' and 35 applications currently being processed. Since the introduction of the Fast Track scheme demand has been growing and a new case is presented to L&Q nearly every other day.

Watch a video of Paul and Maggie talking about their experience of Mortgage Rescue.

Information on Mortgage Rescue for customers

Anyone who is struggling with their mortgage should speak to their lender about what options might be available to them. Most lenders will try to assist you. Equally, you can visit your local authority and their free debt management service, which can also help. Mortgage Rescue is a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. Housing Associations cannot accept cases directly and referral must come from either the local authority or the HCA's fast track team.

Photo: Katie Collins / PA Wire.