Financial wellbeing for housing residents

Financial wellbeing is about feeling secure and in control. It is about making the most of your money day to day, dealing with the unexpected, and being on track for a healthy financial future. In short: financially resilient, confident and empowered.

Signpost to our money guidance for residents struggling with utility billsOpens in a new window on MoneyHelper.

Creditors from all sectors can benefit by collaborating with debt advice agencies. Download our good practice guide for practical case studies and ways creditors can collaborate with debt advisers to ensure that people who can repay their debts do so, and that creditors receive money owed.

Creditor toolkit guideOpens in a new window (PDF/A, 2.8MB)

Our guidance for councils is designed to support fairer outcomes, improve resident engagement with councils and utilities providers, and sustainable arrears payments, through greater collaboration with debt advice agencies. The resource is modelled on best practice examples from councils and utilities providers in England and Wales.

Guide for councils and utilities firms: Supportive Council Tax RecoveryOpens in a new window (PDF/A, 11.7MB)

Our Money Navigator toolOpens in a new window can help you support residents who need money guidance but don’t know where to start. They can answer a few brief questions and receive results tailored to their situation. Specialist support from partners is available for more complex queries.

Our Universal Credit (UC) money manager toolOpens in a new window supports residents on UC payments. Residents can use this accessible tool to help make budgeting decisions and plan ahead to keep up with rent.

Residents can use the tool to:

• get information and advice based on your personal circumstances
• work out the best ways to pay their rent
• find out which bank accounts are best for managing their payments
• get money saving tips for cutting the cost of household bills
• find out what to do and where to get help if they are struggling

Our guide to choosing the right bank accountOpens in a new window supports residents to choose an account that best fits their needs and includes a video guide to opening a bank account. 

For residents struggling to keep up with rent and bills, signpost to local debt advice support online, over the phone or face to face. 

Learn more about where to get free debt adviceOpens in a new window

Our Bill Prioritiser can help residents put their bills and payments in the right order. If they're struggling to pay, it will tell them in two easy steps what to do before you miss a payment.

Use our Bill Prioritiser toolOpens in a new window

The Money Adviser Network brings together some of the country’s best known debt advice providers so individuals can access free, confidential and independent debt advice straight away or at a time that suits them.

Learn more and get involved with the NetworkOpens in a new window

Getting on the property ladder is a big change in financial circumstances; our mortgage and buying guides can support those making this change.

• Mortgage affordability calculatorOpens in a new window
• First time buyer guideOpens in a new window
• Guide to mortgage holidaysOpens in a new window

Support your eligible tenants by offering answers to frequently asked questions about the schemes.

• Right to Buy guide for England, Wales and Northern IrelandOpens in a new window
• Help to Buy scheme – FAQsOpens in a new window

If residents need to borrow money and are thinking of getting a credit card or loan, our guides will help them to consider their options.

• How to improve your credit ratingOpens in a new window
• Guide to credit cardsOpens in a new window
• Store cards explainedOpens in a new window
• Interest rates explainedOpens in a new window
• Alternatives to payday loansOpens in a new window
• How to spot loan sharksOpens in a new window

Only 41% of people seek money guidance during life events. Use these online tools to supply residents with guidance at the key moments, such as during maternity or paternity.

• Child Tax Credit guideOpens in a new window
• Working tax creditOpens in a new window
• Maternity and paternity rightsOpens in a new window

Money Guiders is a pilot programme running throughout 2021 for front-line workers in a range of sectors. Support residents with money matters by developing your money guidance skills, and join a new community of money guiders across the UK, to take your help further.

Explore Money Guiders

We offer a wide range of guidance and ways to share it with your customers.

Get free, tailored support to build financial wellbeing by contacting our regional partnerships team. They will help you find the guidance best suited to your residents and employees, and offer options on how to communicate it with them.

Contact our partnerships team