Cleveland Housing Advice Centre

04/06/2026

A big thank you to the Aviva Community Fund, powered by Crowdfunder, for match-funding CHAC's project, 'Freedom from Debt, a Brighter Future'.

In the last two weeks, we have received 89 pledges and many messages of support. Special thanks go to the Aviva Community Fund employee giving programme, our local community, clients, staff, and trustees.

Thanks to your donations, our Debt Centre is gaining vital support and resilience. Your continuous backing is so important because, sadly, financial difficulties and mental health problems are a marriage made in hell.

Each one feeds off the other. The net result is that a hugely disproportionate number of people with mental health issues face severe debt crises.

This is not simply due to poor money management, impulse buying, or emotional spending—which are often symptoms of mental health struggles—but because these health issues heavily impact income as well.

For too many people, mental illness and debt lock together in a spiral of distress that can carry a heavy cost, such as despair or even su***de. Therefore, with your support, we are able to provide these services and ensure that someone experiencing temporary mental health problems does not face permanent financial distress, or worse.

Thank you again for your incredible support! Your donations will help us achieve our goals and make a lasting positive impact.

To make your donation, please use this secure link:

https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/freedom-from-debt

Donations received before 20 June will be matched by the Aviva Community Fund."

Each year, our Debt Centre help hundreds of people in Tees Valley, escape from the blight of indebtedness and regain financial control.

16/05/2026

A huge thank you to Aviva Community Fund for supporting CHAC’s Freedom from Debt, A Brighter Future campaign.

Every donation helps unlock match funding, meaning your support can go even further in helping us provide free, practical debt advice to people across Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

Aviva will match donations pound for pound to up to £250. So, if our project receives a donation of £50, the Communities Fund will donate £50. If our project receives a donation of £500, Aviva will donate £250. One donation per supporter will be matched, Aviva will not provide match funding where a supporter is deemed to have made multiple donations. Only unique pledges from unique supporters count.

This funding will help keep our Debt Centre running, supporting vulnerable individuals and families with debt solutions, budgeting support, creditor negotiations, income maximisation, and access to vital grants and emergency help.

Thank you to Aviva, and to everyone who donates, shares, or helps us spread the word. Your support helps turn financial crisis into stability, dignity, and a brighter future.

To make a donation please use the following link:

🔗https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/freedom-from-debt

01/05/2026

Big changes for renters from today! The Renters Right Act has now taken effect and brings new protections for those in private rented accommodation. These include:

👉No More Section 21 Evictions - Landlords now need a specific reason to evict you rather than being able to serve a "no-fault" eviction via Section 21.
👉Limits on Rent Increases - Landlords can now only increase your rent once per year, they must give you two months notice and follow a specific procedure.
👉No more Fixed Terms - Tenancies are now all rolling periodic meaning you only need to give your landlord two months notice before you can leave. Landlords however need a specific reason to evict you.
👉Easier to keep a Pet - You have the right to ask to keep a pet and a landlord cannot refuse you without a good reason.

Our friends at Shelter have lots of information on their website which is linked below. But if you'd like more guidance and assistance please call us on 01642 254544 and we'll arrange for you to speak with one of our friendly advisers.

The Renters' Rights Act will mean big changes for private tenants from 1 May 2026. Find out about changes to tenancy agreements, eviction and rent increases.

29/04/2026

A big thank you to the Barbour Foundation for supporting CHAC and helping us change lives every day. This isn’t just funding, it’s real support reaching real people at the moments they need it most. 🤍

07/04/2026

‼️Service Update - Unfortunately we've had to cancel our drop-in service today (07 April 2026) due to a staff member not being available at short notice. The office is otherwise open as normal.

01/04/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to Tees Valley Community Grants, managed by Point North, for their recent support. ❤️

This funding allows us to continue delivering vital advice and support to people across Tees Valley who need it most.

At CHAC, every conversation, every case, and every outcome matters — and support like this helps us reach even more individuals facing housing challenges.

A big thank you to Point North for helping strengthen communities and create real, lasting impact.

🔗 Learn more about their work: https://pointnorth.org.uk

26/03/2026

Things can change faster than people expect.

We see it every day.

💬 Have you ever seen someone struggle and not know where to get help?

At CHAC (Cleveland Housing Advice Centre), we provide free, confidential advice on housing, debt, and crisis situations. If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact us directly — you’re not alone in this.

📍 16 Borough Road, TS1 5DW
🌐 https://chac92.co.uk
📞 +44 1642 254544
💬 WhatsApp available on the same number (01642 254544)
✉️ [email protected]

25/03/2026

Every day, people call us when they don’t know where else to turn.

Behind every call, there’s a real story.

At CHAC (Cleveland Housing Advice Centre), we support people facing housing issues, debt, and crisis situations — and this is what that really looks like.

💬 If you’ve ever needed help like this, or believe services like this matter, tell us below.

Your voice helps us show why this work is so important.

—

📍 16 Borough Road, TS1 5DW
🌐 https://chac92.co.uk
📞 +44 1642 254544

💬 You can also contact us on WhatsApp using the same number. (01642 254544).
(If you're unsure how, just save the number and open it in WhatsApp.)

16/03/2026

Do you want to find out more about our work and the impact we have? We've just created a new video where our staff and clients tell you about what we do and how it helps. You'll also hear from some of our partner agencies about how we help our local community. We hope you find it interesting!

In this video learn a little bit more about our work in the Tees Valley supporting our clients with benefits, debt, housing and energy advice. You'll hear fr...