End of an Era For Housing Aid

11.21.57pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Apr 2007

After 34 years Housing Aid and Advice had to close as Swale Borough Council withdrew funding as from 31st March 2007 and left the Charity with no option but to dissolve. This was after an independent Housing Review of all the Advice Agencies, costing at least £15,000. Housing Aid came out best out of the review as they were the only ones who had a quality mark for Housing Advice.

The review had been welcomed by Housing Aid, who were hopeful that a more joined-up service including a robust Housing Forum would emerge. Sadly that was not the case and we are now very concerned that the service now being proposed will fall short of what is actually required.

Former Chair of Housing Aid Ann McLean

Leading local Lib Dem Ann McLean said, "We had to threaten the Council with a judicial review to get a proper consultation process. A very strong campaign was mounted by Housing Aid with support from many quarters including individual Swale Councillors, MP Derek Wyatt, and all of our stakeholders apart from Swale Borough Council, but unfortunately this was unsuccessful. We also consulted many of our previous clients and received some strong accolades in support of our protest, but all to no avail."

Ann, a previous Chairman of Housing Aid, hopes that the new service to be offered by the ruling Conservative Group will be of the same high standard as Housing Aid achieved. If any resident has any complaint about the new service, they should consult their local representatives.