Update about the future of BHT Sussex Advice Services

Our Advice Services in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings are at risk and a proposal to close them is currently under consideration, subject to consultation and the outcome of ongoing efforts to secure sustainable funding.

We are extremely proud of these services and know how important they are to local communities. However, we are facing a very challenging funding environment in the advice sector, including sustained underfunding of Legal Aid. As a housing association and a charity, BHT Sussex is operating in an increasingly difficult financial and economic environment. Rising employer National Insurance contributions, the need to invest in our housing stock, and substantial regulatory and health and safety compliance costs have placed further pressure on our resources.

Our Advice Services require additional significant and sustainable funding to be financially viable. We are continuing to explore all realistic options to secure this funding, including discussions with the Local Authorities that already support us and other potential funders.

We have delivered advice services for 45 years and have helped many thousands of people in that time, preventing homelessness and supporting people to navigate immigration processes and to access justice when they need it most.

We recognise the profound impact that the potential loss of these services would have on the people who rely on them, our staff and our local communities.

We will be providing more details in the coming weeks as this situation evolves.