1. Sandwell Financial Services Hub Janice Freeman-Phillips Sandwell Financial Services Hub July 2013

2. 27.42% of Introductory tenancies in arrears Of these, 26.16% from a BME background 30% of Young tenants in arrears In and out of work- financial repayments in arrears Sandwell MBC tenants - 14% have access to transactional banking Other HA’s- 27% of tenants have no bank account Survey: July 2011 Background Statistics: Tenant Financial Confidence in Sandwell

3. The Partnership Sandwell Council – 29,000 properties across the Borough Midland Heart – 70,000 properties in 54 Local Authority areas The Accord Group – Consortium of 7 organisations managing 50,000 homes across the Midlands Black Country Housing Group - 2,000 properties across the Black Country Sandwell Consortium 6Towns Credit Union Sandwell Community Information and Participation Services (SCIPS) Department for Work & Pensions Citizens Advice Bureaux The project also has links to the Council’s Tackling Debt Group and the Borough’s Advice Providers Network

4. The Project Project aim – to Financial confidence and skills building of social housing tenants living in Sandwell To provide financial capability support in one place One to one or group professional support Additional support from trained volunteer and peer mentors Free accredited training courses and skills workshops Signposting to careers & jobs Sandwell-wide

5. Sandwell Financial Services Hub Who is Eligible? Sandwell Financial Services Hub New Tenants Aged 16-24 years Tenants In and out Of work Social Housing Tenants

6. What we do Home visits Budget development and financial support information Individual Action Plans Money Management Training (accredited & non- accredited) Advice & support around purchase of white goods, energy tariffs, transactional banking information, affordable credit, etc.

7. Who will provide referrals? In the first instance partners organisations will refer tenants into the project Tenants wishing to access the Hubs services may self refer into the project Statutory or voluntary sector organisations may also refer tenants to the project

8. How organisations can refer Organisations supporting first time social housing tenants or those who may become first time tenants within 12 months Organisations supporting those who have been social housing tenants for up to 12 months Tenants who are struggling to pay rent or other bills should be referred if they meet the criteria Tenants identified as in and out of work who meet the criteria Tenants who may be in need of welfare or debt support may also need budget advice

9. Case Studies SFSH have supported the following tenants: Miss G – Potential savings of up to £97 per week Miss H – Payment of rent arrears Miss R – Saving £300 per month

10. …. Not quite Glastonbury SFSH at Blackheath Festival