Housing association gives door-to-door finance advice ahead of Xmas

Published by Ross Macmillan for Liverpool Mutual Homes in Housing and also in Bill Payments, Health

A Liverpool housing association has taken to the city’s streets to speak to tenants on their doorstep to help them with finance and welfare issues ahead of Christmas.

Liverpool Mutual Homes’ (LMH) is landlord to some 15,000 tenants many of who will struggle over the Christmas period with debt and financial management.   The cold weather brings additional financial pressures as fuel bills rise. 

LMH staff, including directors and all back office teams, visited tenants today in a company-wide day of action.

Staff spoke to tenants to discuss any issues they have and helped them plan financially.

They offered support and directed them to help and assistance such as the ‘moneymadeclear’ project which is organised through RAISE - an independent welfare rights advisory service which receives funding from LMH. 

RAISE provides specialist benefits and debt advice to tenants enabling them to maximise their income. It advises up to 30 LMH tenants every week on Housing Benefit issues, and offers comprehensive advice on financial matters including access to other general welfare benefits.

RAISE also advices tenants on their rights and actions they can take if they feel they are not getting a fair deal.  It provides practical help in submitting claims.

Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services at LMH, Angela Forshaw, said: “People have a lot more outgoings in December as they buy presents and celebrate the festive period and we want to make sure we can help our tenants’ budget accordingly and help them if they are struggling.

“Christmas can be a very stressful time for people if they have financial worries but by working with RAISE, we are able to offer support and advice so tenants are aware of all the benefits they are entitled to and this plays an important role in preventing them from becoming burdened with debt.

“Much of our work is about helping them prioritise bills by ensuring they make the crucial payments for vital commodities such as their rent, food and heating.

“And with the cold weather expected to continue for the next few weeks, we will be taking time to make sure tenants are prepared, have taken the necessary measures to keep themselves warm and that their properties are in good order, as well as discussing any issues they may have.”

Ends

Photograph: LMH’s Assistant Director of Area Based Services, Garry Croll is pictured with tenant Eileen Howard.