The scheme, known as “Brokering Change”, allows brokers to support the charity by donating a suggested £1 of the procuration fee they receive for each completed mortgage case.
Legal & General has been working in partnership with Shelter since 2009 and have so far raised over £100,000 for the charity. This exclusive scheme is the first and only of its kind in the UK and currently has 16 companies signed up. Any new brokers keen to join can participate via Legal & General’s Mortgage Club website.
All brokers registered will receive a membership certificate, a Brokering Change logo to be used on their web and printed materials, and regular updates on how their money is helping homeless and badly housed people in the UK.
Donations from just few mortgages could have a significant impact on families at risk of losing their home:
· £5 a month could help protect a vulnerable family from repeat homelessness
· £45 would pay for a Shelter adviser to be trained to deal with child protection and vulnerable adults
· £245 could pay for 10 calls to Shelter’s helpline from people in desperate need
· £760 could pay for a Shelter adviser to help 40 families issue court proceedings that stop them being evicted
· £5,107 would pay for the helpline to operate for a whole day
Stephen Smith, director for housing and external affairs at Legal & General, said: “Money raised for Shelter goes to a great cause and we are delighted to be working with them on this project. It is exciting to offer our brokers an innovative way of supporting the charity and with the current housing problems, every new broker we get on board really will make a difference.”
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, added: “Getting a mortgage is one of the biggest steps people will ever take and Shelter’s helpline and support services work year-round to help people in difficulties stay in their homes.
"For each person who is able to buy a home there are others living in fear of eviction or repossession. We strongly believe that this scheme will have a positive impact on these people and we are extremely lucky to have Legal &General partner with us. We have worked with Legal &General over the past three years to raise huge amounts for Shelter and we believe Brokering Change will prove just as successful. ”
