Housing Associations Campaign Warns of the Dangers of Loan Sharks

NPT Homes is partnering with Coastal Housing to launch a campaign aimed at tackling illegal money lending and warning of the dangers of loan sharks.

The housing providers have successfully secured a grant from the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit which will be used to raise awareness using a variety of methods. 

The campaign will see a series of drop-in sessions held in areas of Neath Port Talbot where illegal money lending is prevalent.  The sessions will provide attendees with advice and guidance on where to seek help if they have become a victim of illegal money lending.

Working in conjunction with tenants, leaflets will also be produced which will include suggestions about the best way of borrowing money and details about agencies who can offer help and advice to anyone who is experiencing problems. 

The campaign will also include a specially produced short film to highlight the dangers of this practice and will be shared via social media.  It will also be shown in communal areas at NPT Homes’ Haven Housing schemes and in Coastal Housing’s reception areas.

Janet Weaver, Tenant Empowerment Officer at NPT Homes said:
“Some of our tenants are the most vulnerable members of society and whilst we have warned of the dangers of illegal money lending in the past, we continue to hear stories about them getting into difficulties due to this practice.  We hope that this project will warn them of the dangers of this type of lending.”

Janet Gange from Coastal Housing said:
“Tackling the problem of illegal money lending is very important to us.  We hope that by highlighting the dangers of this practice to our tenants we can encourage them to use reputable organisations such as Credit Unions if they need to borrow money.”