Hounslow Council extend Citizens Advice funding for next five years

Image: Citizen’s Advice branch at Chiswick Town Hall; Photograph Google Maps

Funding extension reflects spike in demand for services including access to benefits, debt and housing

Hounslow Council’s Cabinet has approved £325,000 yearly funding for Hounslow’s Citizen’s Advice Service over a five-year period, which will amount to more than £1.6 million. Councillors overwhelmingly endorsed the extension of the service at a Cabinet meeting at Hounslow House.

Citizens Advice Hounslow supports over 15,000 residents each year with a range of social welfare advice issues including benefits, housing, debt and customer-care issues. It provides casework support at a specialist level, advocates on behalf of residents, and provides representation in courts or tribunals.

Councillor Ajmer Grewal, Cabinet Member for Residents Support, Communities and Equalities at Hounslow Council, said:

“An increase in demand for this service is proof that the cost-of-living is still continuing to bite. Citizens Advice Hounslow provides an invaluable lifeline to so many our residents and access to high-quality independent advice should always be a default offer for all our residents.”

Chiswick’s branch of Citizen’s Advice is inside Chiswick Town Hall.

Image: Poor quality social housing with black mould in LB Hounslow; Photograph The Chiswick Calendar library

‘Over half’ of households in Hounslow experience some form of deprivation

In some areas of the borough more than half of households experience some form of deprivation, with 40% of households living in circumstances likely to be exacerbated by cost-of-living pressures.

Over the past four years, Citizen’s Advice has secured over £38 million in additional income for its users through benefit income gains or debt written off. The five-year contract will enable the service to allocate staffing resource effectively and will increase financial wellbeing among residents and prevent homelessness.

Aiman Elal, CEO of Hounslow Citizens Advice, said:

“This funding comes at a time of unprecedented challenge for our clients, who are grappling with the relentless pressures of the cost-of-living crisis and other significant hardships. For many residents, we are the last line of defence against financial instability and homelessness.

“This renewed partnership between Hounslow Citizens Advice and Hounslow Council is not just a funding agreement—it is a lifeline for the thousands of people who rely on us each year. We are profoundly grateful to the Council for recognising the critical role we play and for entrusting us to deliver this essential service.

“For over 85 years, we have stood by the people of Hounslow, and this investment will allow us to continue our work, empowering our community and safeguarding their futures.”