Yorkshire Housing customers have been given a £1m boost after money coaches helped them unlock access to a raft of benefits
Last year Yorkshire Housing’s Money Coaching Service helped hundreds of tenants’ access £1,049,866 through grants and unclaimed entitlements.
Yorkshire Housing estimate that figure will increase this year as more people look for support to help with the rising cost of living.
In total 446 tenants have received support from the Money Coaching Service this year already, a 6% increase on this time last year.
It comes as Yorkshire Housing launch a new campaign to highlight where their tenants can go for support to help with rising costs. The #HelpOut campaign will see the launch of a new online support hub where tenants can find information and advice to help them save and manage their money.
Tenants will be able to get support with energy and bills, travel and essentials, money worries and budgeting, health and wellbeing and help with claiming benefits and grants.
Local community centres will also host drop in events where tenants can speak to staff, ask questions and get help applying for grants and other benefits that they might be entitled to.
Yorkshire Housing will also be setting up warm banks using their community centres for tenants struggling to heat their homes.
Yorkshire Housing are also planning to increase investment in their money coaching teams to help tackle the rising demand as well as putting money into the new Help Out fund which helps to support their most vulnerable tenants.
“We understand that people are worried about rising costs. We want our customers to know that we’re here to help.
“Our money and tenancy coaching teams provide free and confidential advice and support to customers who are struggling to pay bills and manage their money. They’re a dedicated team and its testament to their hard work that they saved our customers over £1m last year.
“Housing associations are facing similar pressures from rising costs. Despite this we’re committed to continuing to build much needed affordable homes and deliver vital services.
“We will do everything possible to help our customers and colleagues during this difficult time”.
Nick Atkin, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Housing
- Yorkshire Housing are a not-for-profit housing association that own and manage 20,000 homes across 20 local authorities in Yorkshire.
- We employ 700 people and we’re the region’s largest developing housing association.
- We have plans to build 8,000 new homes by 2030.
