Struggling to pay rent? Help is available

SOMETIMES IT’S hard to keep up with all your bills. They keep going up, but your income doesn’t. An emergency can destroy your budget. You just need a little bit of help to get you on your feet again.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman understands the real problems that residents experience when trying to cope with the cost of living – and he’s ensured a safety net is in place to help. In fact, it’s several safety nets: if one scheme can’t help you, another one might be able to assist.

The main part of the Mayor’s policy is to ask for help when you need it. No matter how hard it is for you to do so, not matter what your circumstances are, Council staff have heard similar stories before. You are not alone. Staff have helped other people, and they can help you too.

One of the factors that might have made things difficult this year is the rent increase that was introduced in April. If you are finding it hard to pay the increase, there is a special Rent Hardship Fund available for Council tenants. Act quickly: the Fund is open for applications this month, October, and the next application window isn’t till January. If you find that you are not eligible to receive a payment from this fund, there are other ways in which the Council may be able to help.

Act now!

●For more information on how the Council can help, go to:
Difficulties paying your rent
Or go to your nearest Residents Hub:
Where is my nearest Hub?
Or ring the Housing Service Centre: 0207-364 5015

●Read more about it:
Mayor Lutfur Rahman expands support for cost of living
Mayor and Deputy work together on fighting poverty