Tackling financial inclusion

We work directly with thousands of people across the UK, who are often amongst the most vulnerable to loan sharks.

We work hard with residents and communities to enhance Life Chances by helping our residents become financially included and aim to ensure every resident should be offered access to five basic financial services: advice, banking, credit, insurance and saving. We:

• Promote bank accounts to increase the number of tenants who have a basic bank account
• Offer basic debt and money advice to residents in financial difficulties
• Offer advice, education and training to help residents make good financial choices
• Ensure residents know where to go to find relevant agencies for money / debt advice such as the Citizens Advice Bureau thereby reducing their reliance on door step lenders and loan sharks
• Help our residents make good financial decisions and to maximise their income
• Work in partnership with Community Development Finance Institutions and credit unions to help residents access affordable credit
• Make realistic arrangements for payment of arrears, sympathetic to genuine hardship situations
• Offer tenants low cost home contents insurance schemes to protect the things that are valuable to residents
• Help tackle fuel poverty to ensure residents are able to adequately heat their homes

Read more...

• Fair Finance and Circle 33
• Wherry Housing Association: Tackling loan sharks in Norfolk
• Mole Valley: providing advice and support
• Mercian Housing Association: affordable loans to help people improve their homes

18/01/10 16:20