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CIH: Housing advice should play key role

Tuesday, 25 March 2008 12:00 AM

Housing advice is the key to a successful property market in the UK, according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

Research by the organisation finds while homeowners in acute distress presently seek advice in order to avoid disaster, the market would be better served by a more holistic approach.

The CIH believes advice services should target people whose need is less immediate to help them plan for their future housing needs and prevent crises.

This sort of advice could help individuals think about their income, financial stability, work and training prospects and health and support needs.

Furthermore, it could help identify medium to long-term housing options rather than just address short-term needs, whether in the private sector or in affordable housing.

"The range of housing options, especially for people who cannot afford to purchase outright, are expanding and becoming increasingly complex," said CIH chief executive, Sarah Webb.

"We need to develop our advice services further to help people both in affordable rented housing and home ownership to sustain their home and make plans for the future."

A key challenge for advice providers - which include local authorities and housing associations - in effecting this change will be to encourage customers to come forward much earlier and to change the perception that housing advice is exclusively for people with chaotic lifestyles or in crisis.

However, if this could be achieved several key benefits could be seen.

For example, the cost the national health services would be reduced if fewer families found themselves in distress and more individuals would also be able to access the employment market.

However, the CIH finds these costs are difficult to quantify.

The full CIH Modernising housing advice report can be seen here.

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