Published: Tuesday, 7th January 2025
A £100,000 fund to help council tenants in Stoke-on-Trent with the cost of living is set to be extended for a further year.
Awards from the Financial Independence Fund (FIF) can be used to help council tenants struggling with rent arrears or, for example, to buy essential white goods that would otherwise be unaffordable.
The proposed extension of the scheme is one of a raft of measures aimed at protecting people who are struggling in the current economic climate.
The authority has also pledged a ‘financial MOT’ to every resident who needs it, as part of its Help is at Hand campaign. Over the last 12 months, as a result of the scheme – delivered through partners Citizens Advice, Saltbox and Disability Solutions - £1.93 million in benefits have been claimed and 3,345 people advised.
The extension of the FIF will be considered by the council's cabinet on January 14. The additional funding has been allocated through the council’s Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26.
Awards are administered by the Income Advice Team and come as part of a package of support that includes advice on debt, budgeting and maximising income.
Cases are referred to the team by housing officers, when they notice someone struggling financially or in rent arrears.
The move comes with the cabinet also set to confirm council rent increases of 2.7 per cent for 2025/26. Tenant services charges for council dwellings will also rise by 2.7 per cent under the proposal. That is significantly lower than the seven per cent rise last year.
Councillor Alastair Watson, cabinet member for financial sustainability and corporate services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We recognise the pressures tenants are under due to the rising cost of living and the proposed rent increase, which is in line with government guidance.
“The income raised from rents is ringfenced meaning it will be re-invested back into the housing stock. This enables the day-to-day repairs and means work can continue to maintain, manage, modernise and develop our homes and create a healthier standard of living.”
Cllr Watson added: “Council rents in Stoke-on-Trent are still among the lowest in the country in comparison to other local authorities and registered providers.
“For residents who are finding it especially difficult to manage their finances, we are extending our Financial Independence Fund and are continuing to offer financial MOTs. We can also signpost residents to partner agencies who can support with advice around money and debt, energy, food and health.”
According to government tables, council rents in Stoke-on-Trent are the third lowest in a league table of 19 comparable authorities including Oldham, Salford, Solihull, Birmingham and Derby.
If approved by cabinet, the proposed rent increase will be introduced in Stoke-on-Trent from April 1, 2025, with the average weekly rent for council tenants standing at £89.06.
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