Financial Inclusion

L&Q was instrumental in setting up and developing the Change financial inclusion partnership in 2003. Since its launch Change has run innovative projects and initiatives to support financially excluded residents, some with partner organisations. They include:

• savings pilot with credit union
• small business support
• promoting take up of bank accounts
• money advice
• trialling an affordable lending service
• new tenancy support

These initiatives have helped residents on low incomes to budget and make the most of their money.

The partnership, currently eleven associations, has a formal link to the G15 group of largest London housing associations. Change works strategically with other bodies such as the National Housing Federation, Chartered Institute of Housing, Housing Corporation, Financial Services Authority and Transact to lobby and raise awareness of the issues facing financially excluded residents. It aims to develop services in partnership with other agencies like Credit Unions, Community Development Finance Institutions, high street banks and advice agencies.

Print

Email to a friend