MP visits Dacorum Rent Aid
31st October 2006
Mike Penning joined one of his 'charities of the year' Dacorum Rent Aid on CSV 'Make a Difference Day'.
Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, joined one of his “charities of the year” Dacorum Rent Aid on Saturday 28th October. He accompanied Jean Hammond, Resettlement Officer, and Erica Mohr, one of the Trustees on one of their regular visits people who have been helped by Rent Aid.
The visit was organised by Dacorum Volunteer Centre as part of CSV’s (Community Service Volunteers) “Make a Difference Day”.
Dacorum Rent Aid offers assistance to vulnerable, homeless and unemployed people in Dacorum to find and afford private accommodation. They do this by way of paying the first month’s rent in advance and offering a guarantee to the landlord – in lieu of a deposit.
The staff and volunteers keep in regular contact with the people they held and regularly visit them in their homes.
Dacorum Rent Aid has seven trustees, two full-time staff and eight volunteers. It was founded in 1995. Since then they have helped between 25 and 50 people each year and are currently supporting 47 tenants.
Speaking after the visit, Mike Penning said:
“I was delighted to visit people who have been helped by Dacorum Rent Aid. It is an excellent idea to provide assistance to people seeking accommodation in the private sector and assist people who, although in difficult circumstances, are making a concerted attempt to get back on their own feet.”
“I highly commend the work of Dacorum Rent Aid and am proud to have made them one of my charities for the year,” he added.
