believe housing is encouraging customers to talk about money – so its experts can help those who are struggling to make ends meet.
The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to make it difficult for low-income households to meet their essential needs. This includes people who are in work and families who have not used support services before and do not know what help is available.
So, the North East housing association is reminding customers that it offers free, confidential, one-to-one advice on money, bills, and benefits.
Simon Bartlett, Assistant Director of Customer Experience at believe housing, said: “We understand that many customers are feeling financial pressures but may not know where to turn for support, including those who are in work or have never asked for help before.
“I encourage any customer who is struggling to make ends meet to get in touch so our experts can help you to cope with the cost of essentials like food and household bills, to make sure you don’t miss out on support you’re entitled to, and hopefully ease the stress you might be feeling because of money worries.”
Alongside this, believe housing offers advice on managing energy use at home and can help anyone living in its homes to access jobs, skills, and training.
To reach customers who could benefit from financial support, but were not asking for help, believe housing held a Talk Money campaign during the winter.
In just two days, staff visited more than 100 homes in Crook and Shotton and spoke to 42 customers about the help its experts or other agencies could provide.
As a result, customers gained £16,131.14 they were entitled to, such as unclaimed benefits, and 13 tenants reduced their rent arrears by a total of £6,473.
Staff also issued 16 vouchers to help people pay for heating or food, helped ten customers update their Universal Credit housing costs, gave energy advice to 18 customers, and referred five on to other agencies for support.
It also helped six customers to secure a reduction on their water rates – part of a wider initiative with Northumbrian Water which has saved around 3,000 believe housing customers more than £400,000 in total.
Simon added: “Day in, day out our teams are helping customers to live life without barriers, and we have had some incredible results.
“In the two-day Talk Money campaign alone, we provided life-changing support to customers by lifting the financial burden so many are experiencing.”
One customer was working past retirement age because she needed the money, despite struggling with her physical health at work and at home.
Everything was starting to get on top of her.
With believe housing’s support she reduced her outgoings and obtained home adaptations, enabling her to retire and cope much better at home.
She told believe housing: “I’m so happy you contacted me, and I opened the door that day.”
Customers can find out more about the support believe housing offers on its website, via the portal, by calling 0300 1311 999 or emailing hello@believehousing.co.uk
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