Using Data to Target Resources Cathy Brien Forgewood and Garrion People’s Housing Co-operatives John Stevenson Wishaw & District Housing Association Stewart McMahon Citizens Advice Bureau 21 st June 2010

Developing a Partnership Approach Increase in Numbers of European Migrant Workers Partnership working with Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to design, translate and develop Migrant Workers Handbook..... Grant from Scottish Government Wider Role Fund Expanded Networking through Registered Social Landlord(RSL) Forum in North Lanarkshire RSL Forum and CAB enter into discussion for future projects

Fuel User Empowerment Project Surveys sent to all RSL Residents Joint funded project over 2 month period by CAB and the Southern Scottish Trust 836 survey returns in a 2 week period Pilot 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 referrals January 2010 CAB Scotland funded the extension of the project for a further 4 months

Project Outcomes UPTAKE EXCELLENT Identified need for a locally based advisor Close working relationship by all partners Funding required for sustainability of the project

Resources Scottish Government Wider Role Funding % Citizens Advice Scotland % RSL Partners.....Pro-rata basis %

Aims and Activities of Current Project ACTIVITIES Home visits Advice sessions Production of money/debt advice information packs Money Wise Workshop Fuel 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 Report Initial project has demonstrated success Fuel Empowerment Project Current project ongoing Long term effects on data still to be determined work in progress

Project Outcomes – 15 March 2010 – 31 May 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 subjects from housing and health to debt and issues to do with 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 Data Use Money Advice template which covers:- Benefit Maximisation Consumer Debt Housing Legal's Tax Utilities Plus other project outcomes including:- Home Visits Client interviews Mail shot Attendance at financial workshops Satisfaction Focus on:- Client financial gains for project and by partner

Limitations of Data Providing good project outcomes but cannot link to individual tenants (confidentiality) Current data held by each partner varies Use or understanding of current data varies Limits 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 project Demonstrating added value of wider role activities Proving Government gets more bang for its bucks SROI