A confidential financial advice service delivered by Trinity Housing Resource Centre, a specialist debt advice service selected by Family residents, has helped 111 people in its first year.

We started working with Trinity Housing Resource Centre in November 2009 to help residents tackle debt and avoid turning to illegal lending.

In its first year the service has helped people deal with a total debt of £250,312, which was made up of £71,000 of loans and overdrafts, £62,000 of consumer credit and £42,000 of rent arrears.

By giving our residents free independent advice on money, debt and welfare benefits, the service has written off a total debt of £77,542.

The Citizens Advice Bureau reveals that £16bn in income-related benefits and tax credits goes unclaimed in the UK in a year.

In the last year Family’s money advice service has helped residents claim a lump sum of £3,652 in backdated housing benefits and £2,604 in additional weekly housing benefits on an ongoing basis, increasing tenants’ income by more than £8,000.

Family Housing Association neighbourhood services manager Darren Newton says the confidential advice service has increased the number of residents accessing financial help.

“We are delighted with the outcomes of the first year of the advice service. We want to know that our residents are not being backed into a corner by debt and we don’t want them to feel that the only option out of debt is illegal money lending.

“We want to alert our customers to the safe alternatives to illegal lending and offer them the best money management advice, This service helps residents access the benefits they are entitled to and offers them advice to safe and affordable loan options if they are in debt.”

Trinity Housing Resource Centre staff are also training our income team so that if they come into direct contact with people in financial difficulties they can spot the warning signs and direct them to the specialist confidential service.