U Can Pilot: How effective is the proactive approach? Presentation to CWAG July 2016 Nyree Laugharne and Sara Nott
Our aims To understand what resources are required to support tenants to get UC ready To equip tenants to manage UC for themselves www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
What did we do? www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Case Study – the ‘Jones’ Family: An example of what we found, the benefits of support and what can be achieved Case Study – the ‘Jones’ Family: As a direct result of the support received progress to readiness has been made One tenant is working and one on FTE and planning to go to University www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
What did we find? ! Quite important Not so important ← Here and now www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Money management strategies Using weekly, fortnightly and monthly income to guide cash flow “Good week, bad week” Avalanche of debt caused by poor financial management – overwhelming Not just knowledge and skills www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Credit Union U Can started with this pilot: Jam jar accounts Rent management accounts Saving account People still want autonomy and privacy www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
IT and Work club Provided local access – DWP grant for IT Job club and employment advice Very small uptake Better success with home visit strategy www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
ECCABI MoneyBox 18 started level 1 – 14 fully completed Level 2 – 5 started – 4 completed Most participants improved their readiness This training has really helped tenants change their lives www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Our Direct Payment Trial 17 removed during the trial; 10 had changes to HB 7 removed for non or under-payment – some of these at the very end of the trial At the end of the trial 11 chose to stay on direct payments www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Our qualitative assessment Reviewed the progress of 76 tenancies: Debt management Budgeting and monthly payments Online access and making a UC claim Managing benefits, and Employment training www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Did we help to get tenants get ready? www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Net progress www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
What is ready? Assumptions challenged: Information and skills = readiness More support = more readiness Once ready, stay ready The role of the claimant commitment www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Our findings Support provided many improvements in people’s lives But the direct impact on ‘managing Universal Credit housing costs’ was limited Is there a role for the housing provider? www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Potential impacts? Considering these results for CHL if 28% can manage UC: Just HB claimants – 2520 in total may struggle HB who need lots of support – 1645 tenants Intermittent = 875 www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
What next? Considering these results We are looking at our options What will be the impact on the customer? What will be the potential impact on partners in Cornwall? www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
3 case studies Different needs 3 case studies Different needs. Different journeys (Provide overview dependant on available time) www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Different needs, different journeys “The support worker persuaded me to go onto ECABBI, and the training increased my confidence more than I ever thought possible.” www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Different needs, different journeys Photo removed Because of their high level of social anxiety “our support worker enabled us to do our Moneybox course from home. The training taught me to write down incomings and outgoings, it really helped me to have that visual.” www.cornwallhousing.org.uk
Different needs, different journeys “Without the support I received from the U Can project I would have given up. The support workers could get answers to questions I couldn’t.” www.cornwallhousing.org.uk