Recommendations

Here’s what some of our clients say:

“Over the years I have worked with Mark on a number of projects. He has an in-depth understanding of the housing benefit scheme as it applies to supported housing. His work is methodical and precise and he has a knack of getting results. In this particularly complex area, I consider Mark to be one of the leading experts. I would recommend him to any organisation working in the supported housing sector.”
Martin Ward, author of Shelter’s Guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

“Seldom do you find a consultancy firm that constantly goes the extra mile to provide a service that meets deadlines, shares key contacts, explains processes, is highly professional yet genuinely friendly. Without question MR Associates have been key in establishing Teen Challenge Sunnybrae as a successful specialist housing support service since 2003.”
Gordon Cruden, Manager of Teen Challenge Sunnybrae

“For 16 months, our organisation struggled with an extremely difficult tribunal appeals process and our accommodation, providing 300 places for the homeless, was threatened with closure. We were wandering in the wilderness trying to get expert legal advice in the complex area of housing benefit – and then we found Mark! Mark has not only given us a road map showing how to rebuild and sustain the funding of the charity, but his enthusiasm and positive approach have restored our belief in our future. At a time when the charity felt let down by experts, Mark was our critical friend, challenging our assumptions and gently leading us through the maze of DWP guidance. His patient explanations of all aspects of housing legislation can only be described as master classes! He is an absolute joy to spend time with, and here at BFH we cannot contemplate a future without MR Associates. Mark has our highest endorsement.”
Tricia Davis, Managing Director of Bristol Foundation Housing

“At Hope Metro we provide supported housing for ex-offenders. Meeting Mark was, for our organisation, like a breath of fresh air. He understands the need of the client and tailors his services to meet that need. Mark ranks at the very top in our estimation.The money spent engaging him to work on our behalf was one of our best investments: because of his professional approach, our local council now hold us in the highest regard.”
Brian Jackson, Chairperson of Hope Metro

“Mark is an acknowledged expert in the niche field of housing benefits for clients with learning disabilities. He has a great in-depth knowledge of his subject and an enviable track record of success in representing vulnerable clients in housing benefit tribunal cases. Recently, he has been invaluable to myself and the other trustees of an almshouse charity in assisting with the introduction of weekly maintenance charges and addressing the benefit issues arising therefrom.”
Russell Atkinson, Chairperson of Osbaldeston Trust

“We asked Mark to help us deal with a complex housing benefit issue that was causing us great concern. The housing benefit department had decided to restrict our rent payments, which threatened closure of the service. Mark not only managed to have our rent restored, but subsequently secured a substantial increase in housing benefit payments. We have continued to work with Mark since then, and his expert knowledge of housing benefit has been invaluable. We cannot recommend him highly enough.”
Alison Cattell, Director of Manor Women’s Project

“Mark is a housing benefit expert who has great attention to detail and is a specialist in this subject. I employed him to fight what seemed like an impossible case. He worked through the problem systematically and professionally to a successful conclusion. He treated the elderly relatives involved in a sensitive manner, gaining their trust and understanding throughout the process. It was refreshing and reassuring to work with someone so able and personable. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark.”
Sandra Lanni, who employed MR Associates to represent her elderly parents at a tribunal hearing

“Mark’s commitment to organisations providing supported housing to substance misusers is second to none. His knowledge of the housing benefit scheme, which most of us find so difficult, means he is able to simplify matters and advise us with absolute clarity. We would have lost our housing benefit if Mark had not stepped in and prepared an appeal against the council, which he won.”
Maxie Richards, Chairperson of the Maxie Richards Foundation

“In life and in business we all need help and guidance for success. When it comes to supported housing issues, MR Associates are without question the UK’s leading consultants.”
Javier Lesta Candal, Director of Teen Challenge London

“We found Mark to be extremely knowledgeable and indispensable in helping us to set up our first supported housing scheme. Step by step he took us through the complicated housing benefit rules and associated requirements for the creation of our new service. Without Mark we would not have been able to secure the higher-rate housing benefit, which is available to us as a charity providing supported accommodation. When our local council decided to restrict our rent, we had no idea what to do; however, thanks to Mark’s support and expertise, we won our case at a tribunal hearing. His clear and patient explanation of the law in this complex area has been invaluable (and he can go into as much detail as you can handle!) It has been a sound investment to bring Mark on board and we confidently recommend him to all those providing supported housing in the UK.”
Billy Reid, Housing Manager of GGC Supported Housing

“Mark is the go-to guy for housing benefit issues in relation to supported housing in the UK; he has an outstanding track record in this area with dozens of supported housing providers.”
Frank Curran, Director of SP Solutions

“Mark has been invaluable to the society with his in-depth knowledge and expertise regarding the housing benefit scheme. He is committed and conscientious in his approach and ensures the best possible results for his clients.”
David Nettleship, Business Manager of Jericho Benedictine Society

“Mark has always provided us with timely, accurate and informative advice which has assisted us in supporting a number of individuals with learning and physical difficulties. He always acts in a professional manner and thoroughly understands the issues and challenges supported living currently faces. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Erica Calenti, Assured Living Housing Association

“I direct a supported housing charity in the East End of London, helping men and women who are seeking to escape the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. Our organisation had struggled for many years financially, but with Mark’s intervention and expertise in the housing benefit field, we were able to secure considerable finances (which we were entitled to but would never have received but for Mark’s help). A most refreshing aspect of our dealings with Mark is his genuine desire to help organisations like ours secure funding that we are entitled to. Deciding whether or not to retain his services is what we call a no-brainer; he is totally professional and competent.”
Robert Bragg, Director of Victory Outreach Mission

“Mark worked to help Rosshead Housing obtain additional funding through housing benefit. Mark has a very detailed knowledge of this area and his work has ensured the financial viability of the organisation. I was impressed with the tangible and significant results he achieved and would thoroughly recommend him to other organisations.”
Mushtaq Yousaf, Director of Rosshead Housing

“Mark is amazing! We love his ability to make things happen in the area of housing benefit and willingness to give so much time and commitment – far more than anyone else probably would. His input into our organisation has been invaluable and has gone beyond the boundary of what he is ‘paid’ for. Mark genuinely cares about his clients and always puts their best interests first. He is professional, experienced, detailed and humorous! We continue to use Mark’s expertise and we value his ongoing input. I would highly recommend his services for other charities or organisations requiring similar help and support.”
Siobhan Bullock, Managing Director of City Hearts

“MR Associates offer the highest standard of consultancy in their field, providing excellent support and outstanding results. Clearly Mark is a forward-thinking leader and without doubt leads the way in all he does. Not only is the work of MR Associates outstanding but their ongoing support is invaluable.”
David Tierney, Director of The Lighthouse Foundation

“I manage a supported housing project in the West Midlands. MR Associates have done work for us over five years. We have found them to be very knowledgeable and professional in their approach. The results they have achieved for us have all been positive. I can certainly recommend this company to anyone in the supported housing field.”
John Herron, Manager of Hotel Petite

“Having worked in the voluntary sector for the last few years, I have found it to be an absolute minefield with a maze of rules and regulations that, unfortunately, restrict the amount of time I can spend with the people on the ground.  After I had been introduced to Mark I felt so relieved – I felt confident not only in his ability to secure the funding our projects need but also in his integrity. His skill in representing us at every stage with the same passion I have myself allows me to focus all my time on the needy people who are so close to my heart.”
Joe Turner, Director of Christian Prison Ministries (Northern Ireland)

“On behalf of the Haven, many thanks to Mark. He used his expertise and knowledge to gain (and maintain) our registration as a housing support service with the Care Commission. His in-depth understanding of the regulation of care services in Scotland has proved invaluable to us.”
David Black, Chairperson, The Haven Kilmacolm

“If you need to appeal against a housing benefit rent restriction, the very best thing you can do is to ask Mark Rodgers to represent you. Certainly, he is the most helpful, encouraging and knowledgeable of HB experts with a thorough and professional approach.  Lighthouse Homes provides supported accommodation for people who are homeless, but we were facing the possibility of closure because the council  had restricted our housing benefit. This is where Mark stepped in to help and turned the situation around completely. After intense discussions with the council, Mark managed to have the rent restriction lifted. As a result, not only was our full rent restored, but we also received a back-payment from the council in excess of £139,000 . Our future now looks more promising than we could ever have believed possible. Mark has not only helped a struggling service to flourish but he has also improved our understanding of ourselves and what we are doing; we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”
Rev Alistair Sharp, Chairperson of Lighthouse Homes

“MR Associates have provided excellent consultancy service to Teen Challenge UK for several years. We value their expert and professional approach to Housing Benefit Issues.”
John E J Macey, Retired Executive Director, Teen Challenge UK

“When I was introduced to MR Associates, I didn’t anticipate the positive impact they would have on our charity. I would not hesitate to recommend their service to other housing units – their professionalism yet personal, straight talking approach have made them indispensable to Mercy Ministries UK.”
Kerry Slater, Chief Executive, Mercy Ministries UK

“I would just like to put in writing my thanks to you Mark, and to Kenny, for the help and support that you have given regarding getting Exempt Accommodation for Mulberry.  Without the help we would not have received what we now have from Blackpool Council and it means that the work we are trying to do here has a bit more of a solid ground to work from.  We are here to help people with their recovery and you and Kenny have helped in a really big way with this and I just wanted to say a really big thanks.”
Keith Stevenson, Mulberry Community Project