Citysave Case Study: Citizen Housing

Citizen Housing is one of the UK’s most prominent social housing providers, managing more than 30,000 homes across the West Midlands and employing a dedicated workforce of almost 1,300 people. With a core mission to provide homes that are a foundation for life, the organisation recognises that its own people are the primary drivers of that social purpose.

Understanding that financial stress can significantly impact employee wellbeing and workplace productivity, Citizen Housing sought to expand its benefits package with a focus on inclusive financial health. The goal was to provide a highly accessible solution that removed barriers to entry, offering every team member the tools to build sustainable savings habits and manage unexpected costs without having to rely on predatory lending.

The Challenge:

Despite a clear commitment to staff wellbeing, Citizen Housing faced a common hurdle: the invisible nature of financial stress. While the organisation provides stability for thousands of residents, the financial situation of its own employees is not something the leadership team is always aware of. This lack of visibility meant there was a risk that people could be struggling in silence.

The challenge was to create a proactive support system that didn’t require employees to disclose private information to be helped. Citizen Housing recognised that without an alternative, they might feel forced toward high-interest payday loans or high-cost credit during emergencies. They wanted to bridge this gap by offering a safer, preventative tool that prioritised habit-building over quick-fix debt.

Angelica Simpson, HR Business Partner at Citizen Housing, said: “We don’t necessarily know the individual financial pressures our colleagues are under, but we know those pressures exist – so our goal was to provide a safety net that was both accessible and anonymous.”

The Solution:

To address these needs, Citizen Housing partnered with Citysave Credit Union to launch a dedicated payroll savings and loans scheme. The initiative was designed to offer a seamless, secure gateway for staff to build financial buffers and access ethical credit without the hurdles often found in traditional banking.

By integrating the scheme directly with the payroll system, Citizen Housing made it much easier for employees to save. They recognised that when the means to save are built-in and automatic, people are far more likely to stick to the habit. Crucially, while the company facilitates the payroll link, the accounts are entirely private – giving employees something they can own and manage themselves for their long-term benefit.

“The Citysave payroll scheme provides our colleagues with a straightforward, reliable way to take control of their personal finances. Our colleagues have found that saving through automatic deductions is much more effective; because the money is set aside before it reaches their bank account, it removes the temptation to spend it or the worry of manually moving funds at the end of the month, “ said Angelica.

“A standout factor for us was that, as well as being a completely free scheme, Citysave is a local organisation. Unlike the big high-street banks, they’re rooted in the same region we serve, meaning the interest and savings stay within the local community. It aligns perfectly with our social values while broadening the resources we can offer to those facing financial challenges.”

Moving forwards:

For Citizen Housing, the partnership with Citysave has already proven to be more than just a staff benefit; it is a vital tool for real-life milestones. By offering a human-led, approachable service, the organisation is seeing a tangible shift in how employees engage with their money.

The feedback from the workforce has been immediate and personal. Staff members have shared how the scheme has allowed them to consolidate existing debts into more manageable payments, while others have used it to prepare for major life events – from a first-time parent saving for their new arrival to employees building a dedicated nest egg for Christmas to avoid the usual holiday season stress.

Angelica concluded: “As a HR professional, I’m always looking for ways to provide support that are actually impactful, and I would highly recommend Citysave to other employers. It’s incredibly valuable to know you’re helping your team in a real, practical way.

“The Citysave team is friendly, approachable, and – most importantly – completely non-judgmental. They take the complexity and the ‘fear factor’ out of personal finance. Hearing how our colleagues have already used these tools shows us that this scheme is making a genuine difference – it’s empowered them to take ownership of their future, and there is a huge amount of value in knowing that such a reliable safety net is there whenever they need it.”

Financial wellbeing is a cornerstone of a healthy, productive workforce. By partnering with Citysave Credit Union, you can provide your employees with the tools they need to build lasting financial resilience through a simple, ethical, and community-focused payroll scheme.Find out more and join Citysave’s City of Savers: https://citysave.org.uk/city-of-savers/