We are now two months into the awareness raising campaign to highlight the imminent changes to Welfare reform. The campaign has consisted of newspaper, radio and internal bus adverts as well as social media activity, an information video on ‘the bedroom tax’ and case study led PR.
In conjunction with RCT Homes, we have developed a generic identity for this campaign and to date nearly 50 organisations have signed up to use the branding locally.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and to urge people to seek advice and support. They have the option of visiting a signposting website, www.yourbenefitsarechanging.co.uk, which has downloadable resources, application forms for Discretionary Housing Payment, a lodger pack, case studies, a benefits calculator and contact details for organisations which can help including landlords, Shelter Cymru and Citizens Advice to name a few. The website has had 25,000 page views to date, which each visitor staying on the site for an average of four minutes, viewing an average of four pages.
CHC’s money advisors are also taking calls and replying to texts from people concerned about the changes. As members of Advice UK and the Institute of Money Advisors (IMA), the advice they give is centred on welfare reform and income maximisation, identifying which changes will affect individuals and families while providing possible solutions.
Of the calls they’ve taken so far, 31% choose not to disclose who their landlord was. Out of those willing to disclose, 39% were housing association tenants, 28% private tenants and 23% local authority tenants.
30% of those who’ve made contact will be affected by the ‘bedroom tax’ and of those only 9% would consider taking in a lodger and 11% would be willing to move. 5% have indicated that they will make up the shortfall but the overwhelming majority will be applying for Discretionary Housing Payment to make up the shortfall.
As part of the campaign we are also working closely with members, Shelter Cymru and Citizens Advice to hold eight town centre information events advising members of the public about housing, debt and benefit issues. These road shows have been backed by Welsh Government.
For further information on the campaign or to utilise any of the campaign material, please contact Edwina-ohart@chcymru.org.uk