Millfield House Foundation

Previous Grant

Blyth Valley Citizens Advice Bureau

£6,100 (2012) for evaluation of the debt advice project located within Homes for Northumberland, highlighting policy implications for advice-giving agencies and housing providers.

This CAB employs a case-worker on debt located within Homes for Northumberland, the arms length housing body which, following the creation of a single unitary authority, took over housing services from the former District Councils in Alnwick and Blyth. The project, jointly funded by the CAB and Homes for Northumberland, has achieved a significant reduction in rent arrears and repossessions, and Homes for Northumberland and the County Council have been favourably impressed with these results. The evaluation was launched at a well-attended event in May 2012. It demonstrated the value of this model for users and providers of services and funders, and highlighted the policy implications for Citizens Advice, housing providers and other agencies within the North East and nationally.