Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck is raising funds for a housing project which will provide support for local families and individuals who are at risk of homelessness.
The housing project provides a one-stop support service offering housing and financial advice to vulnerable people. From January to November 2023 Citizens Advice helped 953 people with 2241 housing issues and in November alone, the housing team helped 98 people. Demand is expected to increase further as more people may be unable to pay rent and bills due to the increased cost of living.
Katrina Ford, Business Development Manager, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck, said: “Our housing team provides essential support by offering both housing and financial advice, particularly to residents who need help navigating the system and the application process.”
“Some people do not have the skills to maintain tenancies, making them vulnerable to homelessness. Unfortunately, our external funding is coming to an end and we are in desperate need to be able to continue to offer this essential free service.”
Katrina adds: “Housing is a key issue for lots of local people. Many families and individuals are housed in temporary accommodation out of the area, which typically have higher rents, resulting in higher transport costs to work and school, loss of support networks together with other additional costs.”
Mandy Mitchell is the sister of a client who the housing team recently helped. Mandy said: “My brother has a serious heart condition and PTSD and was unable to work so was at risk of homelessness. Without the help of the Citizens Advice housing team I really do not know where my brother would be now. Their knowledge, expertise and compassion is amazing. I can’t begin to imagine what people will do if this service is no longer available.”
Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck is an independent charity and relies upon grants and donations to fund their service and are looking for donations to help fund the housing project.
Donations to Citizens Advice Housing Project can be made on Aviva’s Community Fund page and they will match fund the amount raised. You can also hear Mandy’s experience of the help received by the housing team.
Alternatively, visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk or email [email protected] for more information.
For general advice and support call the Dorset Adviceline on our freephone line 0800 144 8848 (Textphone: 0800 144 8884), 10am-4pm weekdays or visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk
ends
Notes to editors:
Photo caption – Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck Housing Team
For more information contact: Sian Smith, Comms Officer, tel: 01929 408947, email: [email protected]
About Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck have offices in Wareham and Wimborne with outreach clinics throughout East Dorset and Purbeck.
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities to enable them to find a way forward whatever problems they face. We value diversity, promote equality, challenge discrimination wherever we see it and aim to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. Visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk for more information.
Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck is a registered charity, charity number: 1068414
