Big Issue vendors often find themselves financially excluded simply because they do not have a fixed address – so we have teamed up ProxyAddress to help them access vital financial products and services.
The innovative tech firm, founded by architect Chris Hildrey in 2017, will allow vendors to access bank accounts without the need for proof of address, using empty homes in the UK to create a duplicate ‘proxy’ address for data purposes.
This will have no impact on the owner of the address with mail redirected to an address where the vendor can collect it.
We're delighted to share our redesigned website which can be found at the usual address: https://t.co/8WvH20pMkq. Here you'll find much more detail and information on how @ProxyAddress works and who's involved! pic.twitter.com/uja6y7rtPY
— ProxyAddress (@ProxyAddress) June 17, 2019
But by giving marginalised vendors an address, they will be able to apply for jobs or benefits, get a GP, open a bank account and apply for forms of identification that could prove crucial to allow them to participate in society.
Having a bank account is also a key step in allowing our vendors to offer contactless payments, a vital step in this increasingly cashless society.