Archived decisions

Name of LSP

East Hampshire Community Partnership

Contact Name

Tracey Howard

Amount Requested

£3000 with the option of reapplying for the second year

Summary of Bid

(Details of proposed activity the money will be spent on)

To jointly fund the Debt Advice Service which is provided by the 3 Citizens Advice Bureaux located within the district. The need for the service was identified as a target within the Social Inclusion Action Plan and prioritised by the Community Partnership in February 2004.

All funders can refer to the service which is available to any resident living within the boundary of East Hampshire, and the primary aim of the service is to assist in the prevention of homelessness and reduce the level of debt in the area. It is anticipated that many of the referrals will be due to combined debts of rent/mortgage arrears and that the family are under a threat of eviction.

Since the scheme began (9 months ago) there have been 34 referrals. The scheme aims to reduces the need for Housing Associations to pursue evictions due to rent arrears and debt. This therefore avoids placement of families into bed and Breakfast emergency accommodation. The cost of Bed and Breakfast accommodation is approx £500 per week per family placed. An example of the amount of debt dealt with can be seen at Alton CAB, one of the participating CABx, who have had 14 referrals and dealt with debts of £36,500. This service has resulted in none of these referrals being evicted. (The rest of the data from the other 2 CABx is currently being analysed)

Timescale

(anticipated period over which the money will be spent)

The pilot began in May 2004 and is due to run- subject to funding- until April 2007.

How does this bid support the targets within the Community Strategy?

As mentioned this service was identified as a priority by the community Partnership under the first Community Strategy (Social Inclusion being one of the twelve key themes/target areas). There is now a revised strategy which is currently out for consultation, which has 3 key priority areas. It would appear that this particular project supports priority area 1 - "Everyone has access to services, facilities and workplaces"

Overall funding arrangements

(please specify total cost of project and the amounts contributed from other partners)

The service costs £18,000 per annum with contributions from EHDC £6,000, Housing Associations up to a max of £5,000, Bordon Charities £3,000 but ring-fenced for use in Bordon/Whitehill only, EH primary Care Trust £1,000. Current shortfall of £3,000.

Signed

(by Chair of LSP or on behalf of)

Date

Amount Agreed

Signed

(By HCC authority)

Date