using data to target resources cathy brien forgewood and garrion people’s housing co-operatives...
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Using Data to Target Resources
Cathy BrienForgewood and Garrion People’s Housing Co-operatives
John StevensonWishaw & District Housing Association
Stewart McMahonCitizens Advice Bureau
21st June 2010
Developing a Partnership Approach2007 -Increase in Numbers of European Migrant
WorkersPartnership working with Citizens Advice Bureau
(CAB) to design, translate and develop Migrant Workers Handbook.....
Grant from Scottish Government Wider Role FundExpanded Networking through Registered Social
Landlord(RSL) Forum in North LanarkshireRSL Forum and CAB enter into discussion for
future projects
Fuel User Empowerment ProjectSurveys sent to all RSL Residents Joint funded project over 2 month period by CAB and
the Southern Scottish Trust836 survey returns in a 2 week periodPilot extended to a further 6 month period with
additional funding from Lintel Trust and the Abbey Trust
Personal advice visits for those who claimed to be suffering from fuel poverty
Fuel Users Advice Services referralsJanuary 2010 CAB Scotland funded the extension of
the project for a further 4 months
Project OutcomesUPTAKE EXCELLENT
Identified need for a locally based advisor
Close working relationship by all partners
Funding required for sustainability of the project
ResourcesScottish Government Wider Role
Funding..........60%
Citizens Advice Scotland..................25%
RSL Partners.....Pro-rata basis..........15%
Aims and Activities of Current Project
ACTIVITIESHome visitsAdvice sessionsProduction of
money/debt advice information packs
Money Wise WorkshopFuel Awareness
AIMS Maximising Income Debt advice and
assisting clients to deal with their debts
Education of clients to assist them to stay out of and prevent future debt
Progress ReportInitial project has demonstrated successFuel Empowerment ProjectCurrent project ongoingLong term effects on data still to be
determined........work in progress
Project Outcomes – 15 March 2010 – 31 May 2010
166 Clients assisted - RSL offices = 88
- Home visits = 73
- CAB offices = 5
122 problems - Disability Benefits / Rent arrears
(major areas) Council Tax & Housing Benefits /
Utility problems
Client Financial Gains £39,581.02
Which tenants / residents are at risk? Single people Older People Young People Elderly people Single Parents New tenants People with disabilities People with long term illnesses
What does CAB bring to partnership?
Independent Impartial Accurate Up-to-date information, Advice Advocacy Trusted Service
Practical assistance on a wide range of subjectsfrom housing and health to debt and issues to dowith goods and services.
Interventions
Specialist Interventions
Representation at appeals Referrals to In-court Adviser, Hamilton Sheriff Court Referrals to Ethnic Minority Law Centre Referrals to NLCAB Housing specialist CAB Legal Rota appointments Polish Volunteers
What are the issues for the Housing Associations and Co-ops Rent Arrears New Tenants Issues Abandoned Tenancies Money Management Court actions / evictions / repossessions Access to independent, reliable, information and advice
for residents Fuel Bills
Project DataUse Money Advice template which covers:-• Benefit Maximisation• Consumer• Debt• Housing• Legal's• Tax• UtilitiesPlus other project outcomes including:-• Home Visits• Client interviews• Mail shot• Attendance at financial workshops• SatisfactionFocus on:-• Client financial gains for project and by partner
Limitations of DataProviding good project outcomes but cannot
link to individual tenants (confidentiality)Current data held by each partner variesUse or understanding of current data variesLimits ability to demonstrate business case
e.g. new tenant sustainability, impact on rent arrears, impact on court cases/eviction levels
The Future?Business case for sustaining projectDemonstrating added value of wider role
activitiesProving Government gets more bang for its
bucksSROI