A brand-new scheme aimed at residents across the borough who are experiencing severe financial hardship has been launched by Haringey Council.

The Haringey Support Fund offers a safety blanket for people who are faced with unexpected costs or find themselves in situations of financial crisis and have no access to other help.

Cllr Seema Chandwani, Cabinet Member for Transformation and Public Realm Investment said:

“The impact of more than a decade of austerity is clearly visible across our borough, with too many people struggling to make ends meet, and having nowhere to turn when a financial crisis hits. I know from personal experience how hard that can be, and COVID-19 has only made things harder, particularly for those who were struggling before the pandemic.

“Over the last few months we have brought forward a number of policies that will help to secure a fairer future for Haringey, but I also know that for many people their financial crisis is happening now. This is why I’m so pleased that the Haringey Support Fund will be able to bring immediate relief to people facing extreme financial hardship.

The Haringey Support Fund can provide one-off payments in emergencies and help with the costs of household items that are difficult to budget for such as white goods, or furniture. The fund can also be used for essential items that are necessary for day to day living such as food, utilities and clothing.

The scheme is designed to help ease financial pressure on residents with low incomes and to support those most in need.

Cllr Seema Chandwani continues:

“As ever I wish that the Fund could be even bigger and go even further, but we will continue to push central government to do more and do better for the people in Haringey who continue to carry the burden of years of austerity.

“No-one should suffer financial hardship in silence. Whether you’re a single parent whose boiler has just broken, a retired citizen who can’t afford the cost of traveling to a loved one’s funeral, or a self-employed person left behind by the government’s furlough scheme with bills you can’t pay, the Haringey Support Fund may be able to help.”

For more information about the Haringey Support Fund and how to apply, please visit www.haringey.gov.uk/haringey-support-fund or call the Connected Communities team on 020 8489 4431.