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