Helping people find a safe home

IN these uncertain times, Home Group Scotland has been working hard to ensure all its customers have a safe place to stay during lockdown.

With rules in full force, the housing association’s team in Dundee have ensured that people in vulnerable situations have still been able to move.

Sandra Brydon, director of Home Group Scotland, said: “It’s a challenging time for us all but I am extremely proud of the team for going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure all customers are safe and secure.

“Our housing managers in Dundee have been fantastic in making sure that customers who need our help, get it.

“We had two situations where women were feeling uncomfortable in their current homes and desperately needed to move.

“One was having problems with a private landlord and had been without hot water for a long time and the other was having trouble with current neighbours. The team looked at these individual cases and decided that waiting until lockdown was over was not an option.

“Working in a safe way and in accordance with government guidance, we were able to enable these women to move into safe and secure homes.

“The customers are extremely grateful to have been able to move during this time.”

In an even more extreme case, one customer who has recently been housed by Home Group had been forced to live on the streets.

“Another customer successfully housed in Dundee had been forced on to the streets during lockdown,” said Sandra.

“They had been living in a homeless unit and left just before lockdown was announced.

“Upon returning, they were not allowed back in or even to collect their things.

“The team was able to work closely with

Dundee City Council and the customer’s support worker to get them a safe, warm home.

“Although not category one key workers, the team at Home Group Scotland have excelled in their duty of care.”

A £100,000 emergency fund was put in place for customers who are struggling to afford the essentials.

Those who live alone and those who are vulnerable have been contacted by the team to ensure that food deliveries have been set up and that they have access to their prescriptions.