More than housing
Longhurst’s board backs a fresh
approach to help our customers keep their heads above water when it
comes to money matters.
Our group-wide financial inclusion strategy
sets out the practical actions we will take to ensure that people
receive the help they need – without having to resort to loan
sharks or other expensive lending.
Led by Friendship Care and Housing, the
strategy paves the way for new initiatives that will become
increasingly important if the economy continues to flag.
Money advice service
For example, Friendship is part of a
Midlands pilot run by the National Housing Federation’s My Home
Finance scheme to provide low-cost loans for customers who might
not otherwise be able to use credit unions
- Thanks to a partnership with Derby City
Council, Friendship has launched a money advice service
for residents across the East Midlands, which follows the
success of a similar arrangement with Birmingham City Council.
Meanwhile, Friendship's Money’s Too Tight To Mention
booklet, which is packed with useful advice and sources of
information, has flown off the shelf.
Breaking the cycle
Friendship’s partnerships manager,
Tracey Quirk, explained that the schemes were part of a holistic
approach. She said: “We have to collect rent to be able to provide
services but we also need to help people break the cycle of money
problems and debt.
“Often the best way to do this is for us to
work in partnership with experts in money advice
- whether they work for a local authority or a charity
- as residents understandably want independent
advice.
"At the same time, we’re also making sure our
own staff have a thorough knowledge of the issues so they can
ensure people get prompt help.”