Work by The Community Housing Group (TCHG) to help customers prepare for UK government Welfare Reforms has contributed to continuing reductions in rent arrears.

- As result of work by the company arrears reduced to 0.59% of annual debit the lowest levels since transfer in 2000.

- We were also able to help 120 residents who were under-occupying to move down to more suitable homes.

- The company agreed a comprehensive Welfare Strategy during 2013 which identified a range of tools and approaches which all teams across company have used to help tenants affected by recent Welfare changes including pre-tenancy advice and support, welfare bus which visited estates, information leaflets, website advice, pro-active Financial Inclusion Team, working to bring a recognised Credit Union into the county.

- Since December 2012 over 900 of TCHG households were subject to reductions in rent support due to under-occupation and caps on their weekly benefits introduced following Welfare changes.

Our Financial Inclusion Team helped over 400 tenants access financial support to which they were entitled helping them to manage the changes in their circumstances.

Speaking about the work of the company the Group Chairman Jenny Evans noted “Our aim is to give people the necessary advice and support which enables them to make their own informed choices in the current difficult economic climate.  We will continue to support those who are more vulnerable.”