Housing Trust Gives Tenants a Helping Hand

Published by Fiona Lowe for Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing in Housing

Welwyn Hatfield Community Housing Trust has boosted the range of ways it helps its customers during current tough economic times.

Help available to customers now includes money and debt advice, assistance with moving and help to begin saving for the future or to access affordable borrowing.

A representative from the local Citizens Advice Bureau visits the Trust’s neighbourhood offices twice a week to offer free, independent advice on financial, legal and other matters. The Trust has also teamed up with HertSavers Credit Union to offer tenants safe ways to save and borrow money.

The Trust has also enhanced the support it offers tenants directly. All tenants will be visited over the next two years, offering each household the opportunity to discuss their needs and to make sure they are accessing all the help they are entitled to.

Tenants will be offered practical and emotional support with moving somewhere smaller if their home has become too large for their needs and those who leave their home clean and tidy for the next tenant will receive £100 as a ‘thank you’.

Paul Wren, Chair of the Trust’s Management Board said: “These measures will be a real help to those who are struggling in the current economic climate.

This is a great example of the Trust working with local partners to develop new ways of improving services for customers. Tenants should not hesitate to get in touch if they are having difficulty as we may be able to offer some really useful advice and support.”

Ends

Notes to the Editor:

A representative from the Citizens Advice Bureau is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00-4.30pm in both of the Trust’s Neighbourhood Housing Offices. Contact 01707 357 796 for Welwyn Garden City and 01707 357 088 for Hatfield to make an appointment.

For more information about HertSavers Credit Union visit www.hertsavers.co.uk or call 01707 269 239.

Visit the Trust’s website at www.welhat-cht.org.uk and find us on Facebook and Twitter.