A quick description of the Advice for Tenants and Residents (AFTAR) and how it operates
AFTAR, currently co-funded by the National Lottery, is a highly successful partnership between Motherwell & Wishaw Citizens Advice Bureau and five local Registered Social Landlords:
· Garrion People’s Housing Co-operative
· Forgewood Housing Co-operative
· Lanarkshire Housing Association
· Abronhill Housing Association
Impact
AFTAR provides a holistic, life changing service, mitigating the impact of Cost-of-Living crises, and managing Universal Credit Migration. It makes an enormous difference to people’s lives and has an incredibly positive impact in supporting resilient communities. A recent evaluation of AFTAR indicated that tenants reported:
· 88% improved financial resilience
· 90% better general wellbeing
· 95% reduced stress
Tenants can have complex, multi-faceted needs, including financial capability issues and digital exclusion that is exacerbated by language/cultural barriers, lack of numeracy/literacy skills, and poor health and wellbeing. AFTAR’s dedicated advisors, with lived experience, maximise tenants’ engagement and deliver truly holistic, impactful support.
Some feedback below from Tenants who have used the AFTAR service:
Paul, who had his income increased by over £20,000 through critical benefit entitlement, said, ‘Many thanks to the AFTAR Team. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. It has been truly life changing. I managed to pay my debts off, I was feeling very low, and you turned things around for me’.
Anne had her £7,540 debt rescheduled including her rent and council tax arrears. Peter went through sequestration and had all his £5,500 non-priority debts rescheduled. He said ‘I cannot thank the team enough. I can see the future now’.
“The team was AMAZING! They helped me to claim Universal Credit. They taught me how to set up email, maintain my UC journal, write CVs and many other online life-skills. Then I started volunteering with AFTAR and went through their Adviser Training programme. It all paid off; I secured a job. I cannot thank them enough”.
On behalf of the housing partners, Lanarkshire HA’s Henry Coyle, said "The whole LHA team looks forward to the AFTAR surgeries in our office, knowing that our referrals lead to hugely positive outcomes for tenants.
AFTAR is truly unique as a partnership that should be recognised for its sheer longevity, as well as the fantastic and lasting impact it continues to have on communities across North Lanarkshire. We genuinely feel part of a successful team effort, everyday housing heroes and community anchors, making people's lives better, together.”