Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) has experienced a 7 per cent rise in the use of its core enquiry service over the last 12 months.
Over the same period, 398 people have volunteered 80,000 hours of their time to the community in the Auckland city centre area, helping people to find advice and support on a range of topics.
Immigration and housing queries are the most common reason for people to seek help from the CABAC, followed by questions about employment and relationships.
Following the rise in popularity of the service, $200,000 in funding has been secured to help it to continue serving the community.
“The people who come into the CABAC often do not know what assistance is available or have anywhere else to go,” says Councillor Christine Fletcher, who advocated for and secured CABAC funding in Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget.
“The CAB is central to our community and there needs to be appropriate and timely investment to allow it to continue in the future.”
CABAC is supported by Albert-Eden and Puketāpapa local boards. Over the past few months it has expanded its opening hours and improved support services and the quality and content of the services it offers.