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"Exploring Direct Payments: Key Insights from the DWP Project at GreenSquare Group"

Discover the crucial findings from the Direct Payment Project led by GreenSquare Group, which focuses on housing benefits for working-age residents. Highlights include collaboration with local authorities, innovative support strategies for vulnerable residents, and adaptations to pre-tenancy processes. The project identified the importance of preparation and the need for tailored communication with residents. Despite initial concerns regarding direct debit payments and arrears, the experience revealed that residents are capable of managing their payments. Learn more about how these insights can enhance housing support.

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"Exploring Direct Payments: Key Insights from the DWP Project at GreenSquare Group"

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  1. Are you ready for Direct Payments? Jenny Spoor, GreenSquare Group

  2. GreenSquare • We provide housing, regeneration, care & support across Wilts, Glos & Oxfordshire. • Approx 11,500 properties • In addition, we build new homes from social to outright sale & have an in house gas company. • www.greensquaregroup.com

  3. Methods of communicating with residents Methods of supporting residents with complex needs Tested direct payment of housing benefit to residents NOT Universal Credit Test the impact of a range of trigger points DWP Project

  4. DWP Direct Payment Project • 6 Local Authority Areas – 4 England, 1 Scotland and 1 Wales • All participants were working age • Not Supported Housing • We worked in conjunction with Oxford City Council. • Approx 400 of the 2000 residents

  5. Preparations • Hugely resource intensive • A collaborative approach • Changed our pre tenancy process • Nervousness around Direct Debit payments • Increase in arrears generally prior to project starting

  6. DWP Project

  7. DWP Project

  8. DWP Project

  9. DWP Project

  10. Customers’ experience • Change in relationship. • Vulnerable residents are capable. • Wide variety of payment methods. • Most people paid something.

  11. Key Lessons • Preparation, preparation, preparation! • Technology v resources.

  12. Key Lessons • Arrears module – is this fit for purpose? • Know your customer and target communication accordingly.

  13. Key Lessons • Vulnerable residents are capable; • Change of culture – are your Board and staff ready? • Who will do what? • It will cost us, so what are your priorities? • Keep it simple.

  14. Any questions?

  15. www.greensquaregroup.com

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