Aragon provides a money advice service to customers

Bedfordshire-based social housing provider, Aragon Housing Association, has launched a new Money Advice Service to help its customers manage their income and expenditure more effectively.

The service assists with debt advice, money management and financial aspects of tenancy agreements. In addition, the service assists customers with maximising their income by offering a welfare benefits check to ensure eligible benefits are claimed.

The need for the Money Advice was identified following regional research and data gathered from customers and forms part of Aragon’s work on anti-poverty and financial inclusion. The service is also assisting with the prevention of homelessness through close links with Aragon’s housing officers who oversee the rent accounts. However, customers can apply for assistance without rent arrears.

One third of Aragon’s residents are older people and the Money Advice Service is also looking at ways to help older customers manage their income and avoid fuel poverty, particularly during the colder winter months.

Aragon has employed a dedicated Money Advisor who meets personally with customers who have applied or been referred for advice. Each case is assessed on an individual basis and reviewed regularly. The aim is to enable customers affected by debt to continue their tenancy successfully by helping to manage all of their debt. Customers with multiple debts will not be able to choose to have only a few of their debts tackled.

Aragon has already received complimentary letters from customers who have benefited from the service. One customer said: “With your help and support in getting creditors off my back and reducing my debts considerably, I now feel happy and confident once again and able to face life with my head held high.”

Aileen Evans, Managing Director of Aragon Housing Association, said: “The current economic climate will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of people living in affordable housing needing financial advice.

“By working closely with customers, Aragon has been able to launch this service to proactively tackle debt problems. We are very pleased with how well Money Advice has been received as we are always looking to provide services to meet the specialised requirements of our customers.

“It is important that housing association and council tenants countrywide realise that there is help available. Currently there is a focus on how the economic downturn is affecting homeowners, but it is also important to recognise that people in rented accommodation face financial constraints too. Tenants everywhere would be well advised to contact their housing provider to find out if there is a dedicated advisory service available.”