4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Budget service now in South D hub
For the past three months, the Dunedin Budget Advisory Service (DBAS) has been operating from new premises in South Dunedin.
The service, which works with people experiencing financial hardship and provides advice and support around family budgets, debt consolidation and more, is now based at the recently built Rakiatia centre at the Catholic Social Services hub in Macandrew Rd.
Dunedin Budget Advisory Service (DBAS) manager Andrew Henderson said the move came about in the wake of a hui last year to discuss the future of the service in the wake of government funding cuts.
The hui was attended by representatives of many Dunedin social sector organisations, including Catholic Social Services manager Melanie McNatty, who approached Mr Henderson with the offer of rooms in the new Rakiatia centre.
Earlier this year, Mr Henderson and DBAS financial mentor Raewyn Bungard moved to the new space, where the service has access to reception and meeting rooms, along with its own office.
"Things have gone very well since we moved out here to South Dunedin. The CSS hub has good parking, there are bus stops nearby, and there is a lot of synergy between us and the other organisations out here," Mr Henderson said.
With many organisations finding it difficult to access budgeting services for their clients, there continued to be a strong demand for the service's expertise, he said.
The DBAS has operated for more than 50 years as an independent service, with trained specialist staff — these days comprising Mr Henderson and Ms Bungard.
"With just the two of us to do the work, it can be challenging, and we are getting busier and busier," Mr Henderson said.
"The demand for our service is huge and growing all the time, as people battle with the cost of living.
"One area where things are really growing is in the number of people wanting to make hardship withdrawals from KiwiSaver," he said.
Ms Bungard said the service was hearing from an increasing number of people struggling to pay mortgages and rent, resulting in some experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.
"[Unaffordable accommodation] is the biggest cause of poverty — many families are paying more than 50% of their income in rents, or mortgages, rates and insurance," she said.
Another area of concern was a noticeable increase in the number of people suffering with addiction issues — mainly around illicit drugs, which contributed to financial insecurity.
"The help doesn't seem to be there for vulnerable people ... [which leaves] them on the streets or in vehicles," she said.
One way in which renters could improve their situation was to ensure they received their bond refunds after moving on from a rental.
Millions of dollars in unclaimed bond refunds were held by Tenancy Services, so it was really worth it for people to ensure they received the refunds they were entitled to.
Mr Henderson said Dunedin Budget Advisory Service continued to administer the $160,000 Dunedin City Council Consumer Electricity Fund, which provided households in need with grants of up to $300 towards electricity. The grants came with conditions.
The service was seeing some people who had experienced redundancy and had good advice to share.
"If you have been made redundant, it is best to ask for help early and make contact with Work & Income early — there are definitely ways to get help," Mr Henderson said.
And each year, people should do an annual review of their finances, including insurances, power, internet and other costs, and check their credit files.
"We wish more people were passionate about financial matters," he said.
