HSBC bank is working with Shelter on housing campaigns.
A statement from the charity says: “With support from partners including HSBC UK, Shelter provides tailored and easy to follow advice on a wide range of housing issues on its website, as well as a free web-chat service, emergency national helpline, and face-to-face services across the country.
“Shelter and HSBC UK are working together to help more people and communities build financial resilience and break the vicious circle of homelessness, building on the bank’s ground-breaking ‘No Fixed Address’ bank account service.“
The partnership includes funding for emergency help measures, as well as expanding existing Shelter programmes with digital and in-person services to “help people build financial health.”
For example, pilot projects have started in Birmingham and Lancashire, targeting intervention in local community settings such as warm banks, GP surgeries and even football clubs. The charity says these measures are expected to reach over 3,000 people who are at higher risk of homelessness, such as single-parent families, marginalised people and people with complex needs.
Shelter spokesperson Nadeem Khan says: “The housing emergency can feel like a pressure cooker, and we know how easy it can be to feel overwhelmed, but our message is that you don’t have to face it alone. We saw how tough 2023 was for so many people, as housing costs kept rising and evictions surged. Now millions are stepping into 2024 with real worries about keeping hold of their home.
“Shelter is on the front line of the housing emergency, and we see the devastating impact this mounting pressure is having on people’s lives from sleepless nights to days filled with anxiety. The sooner people reach out for help the better, and so in partnership with HSBC UK we’re increasing support for people in immediate crisis as well as helping those at risk build a more secure future.”
And HSBC UK’s head of financial inclusion and vulnerability, Maxine Pritchard, adds: “If you are feeling worried about your finances you’re not alone – and getting help and advice early can make all the difference. Together with Shelter we’ve helped thousands of people experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives, and now we’re working to help more people and communities build financial resilience and access meaningful support before they reach a crisis point.
“Getting on top of your finances can take time, but there are actions everyone can do to improve their financial health whatever their financial situation may be. We stand ready to help, and the important thing is that people understand and feel comfortable accessing information and support in a way that works best for them.”
