Association hailed as a hero for helping its tenants fight poverty
Paisley housing bosses are awarded top gong by charity
Paisley Housing Association is celebrating after being named as one of only five organisations to become a ‘Fuel Poverty Hero’.
The association has been at the forefront of the ongoing challenge to help tenants withstand crippling fuel bills as energy prices continue to soar.
Now it has been honoured in the Fuel Poverty Heroes Awards 2022, organised by the charity Energy Action Scotland .
Paisley Housing Association was held up as a shining example with a strong set of initiatives – including offering cash help for struggling tenants.
The work has taken on added significance throughout the pandemic, with people struggling to pay bills due to job losses and furlough.
A high number of the association’s tenants are classed as vulnerable, increasing their risk of fuel poverty.
Key highlights of the work Paisley Housing Association has done on fuel support include:
● Provided income maximisation advice to 429 tenants
●Provided direct energy advice to 139 tenants
●Provided emergency fuel top ups worth £15,000 to 236 households
●Helped its tenants claim £1.27million in extra income
●Helped tenants save £20,000 on their energy bills
●Issued £5,000 of other direct assistance to households in crisis
●Is delivering a Winter Fuel Support Fund which will distribute £10,000, meaning 100 households will receive a £100 grant to help with their energy bills.
In addition, four members of staff have tuned up their skills on fuel advice and now possess“City and Guilds Energy Awareness qualifications
Chief executive Kathleen McCutcheon said: “In times of crisis, people look to their housing association for a helping hand due to our deep community roots.
“And we are pleased to be leading the fight against fuel poverty on behalf of our tenants at a time when it is needed most.
“The scale of the fuel crisis affecting everyone and Paisley Housing Association is strongly committed to doing everything we can to ease the burden.”
The association’s senior projects Officer Alan Graham added: “Undoubtedly, heating your home is the most pressing challenge facing households today, but we’re proud of all we are doing to make a difference.
“This accolade from Energy Action Scotland is a real boost to our work.”
We are pleased to be leading the fight against fuel poverty
Kathleen McCutcheon